City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Las Cruces, NM
How Las Cruces regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Short-term rentals here operate under a registration or permit system with ongoing operating rules.
- STR business registration required with Community Development Department before operating
- per-unit registration with Visit Las Cruces plus proof of insurance
- fire/safety inspection authority on 24-hour notice; occupancy limits enforced
- no cap, no zoning exclusion, no primary-residence requirement (whole-home by-right)
Based on: Las Cruces Code of Ordinances Ch. 16, Art. XII, §§16-506 to 16-512 (Short Term Rental Ordinance); effective 2026-01-01
Summary of the rule
All persons owning real property within the City of Las Cruces with the intent of using that property for a short-term rental unit must obtain a certificate of business registration from the City of Las Cruces Community Development Department pursuant to Chapter 16 of this Code prior to establishing that service.
Last reviewed Sep 27, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Las Cruces · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch tracks changes from public sources — council agendas, state bills, local news — not a complete legal compendium.
A city permit is not the whole picture — HOA, condominium, deed, or lease rules may be stricter.
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.