City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Orange Beach, AL
How Orange Beach regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Rules here limit which homes may operate as short-term rentals, how many, where, or for how many nights a year.
- Residential-zoning exclusion
- License required
- Inspection with 24-hour notice
- $500 license fee
- Permit revocation & suspension
Based on: Orange Beach Ord. 2018-1282 (Zoning Ord. §§2.02, 4.01, 5.27) + 2018-1283 (Code Ch.50 Art.XI Vacation Rental Units)
Summary of the rule
Ord. 2018-1282 §5.2702 (Zoning Ord. §5.27): 'Vacation rentals are prohibited in the RS and MHS zoning districts.' §5.2703 allows vacation rentals in single-family residential/duplex PUD zoning districts (unless expressly prohibited in the approved Master Plan) and in the Beach Overlay District; the §4.01 Permitted/Conditional Uses table lists Vacation Rentals as allowed (R) only in RM1, RM2, BR1, MHP, NB, MR, GB, RVP, AG — RS1/RS2/RS3 and MHS are blank (not permitted).
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 10, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Orange Beach · system last checked Nov 5, 2026
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City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.