Fort Wayne Short Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

Starting a Short Term Rental Business in Fort Wayne

The city of Fort Wayne regulates short-term rentals, and there is no minimum night requirement. However, hosts are required to obtain a short-term rental permit and comply with zoning laws14.

To start a short-term rental (STR) business in Fort Wayne, it's important to first thoroughly research the local market to determine demand, competition, pricing, and which neighborhoods allow STRs. Investing in a suitable property in an STR-friendly zone is key. Options to finance the purchase include paying in cash for quick entry and potential discounts, or exploring various loan types such as conventional mortgages, commercial loans, private lenders, or hard money loans11.

Once you have a property, you'll need to furnish and equip it to meet guest expectations. This includes comfortable furniture, quality linens, kitchen essentials, and amenities like WiFi, TV, and possibly extras like games or local guidebooks. Using professional photos for your online listing and writing an accurate, appealing description can help attract bookings13.

Before launching, you must register with the city and obtain a short-term rental permit. You'll also need to arrange for regular cleaning, maintenance, and guest support, either by hiring a cleaner and co-host or using a full-service property management company. Setting competitive nightly rates, adjusting pricing seasonally, and securing positive reviews will help keep your calendar full13.

It's essential to comply with all local regulations, zoning laws, taxes, and safety requirements on an ongoing basis. With proper planning, execution and management, an STR can be a profitable investment in Fort Wayne.

Short Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Fort Wayne

Hosts in Fort Wayne are required to obtain a short-term rental permit and comply with zoning laws. Non-owner-occupied permit holders must obtain approval signatures of 75 percent of all adjacent property owners3.

The specific process to obtain a short-term rental permit in Fort Wayne involves submitting an application to the city's Building Commission. The application requires48:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Two pieces of mail showing residency
• Exit plan
• Application form
• License affidavit
• Signed Council Notification form
• Short-term rental dwelling information
• Owner's information
• Agent's information
• Second local contact person's information
• Presence of safety items
• Application or renewal fee

Upon completion of the application and fee payment, the city will issue a 90-day temporary license to operate your rental. During this time, your application will be reviewed by city staff. If there are no issues, the temporary license will convert to a permanent license at the end of the 90 days. The permanent license must be printed from the city's online system4.

Permits are valid for two years and are not transferable to new property owners. The city charges the following fees for short-term rental permits4:

• $25 or $50 per year for joining the registry
• $150 in the first year and $75 in subsequent years for certificate application
• $75 for property inspection

It's important to note that if your property is part of a homeowners association (HOA), you must also provide a letter from the HOA showing the unit has "clean hands", does not have any liens for unpaid fees, and does not have any violations of bylaws. This letter must be no older than 3 months8.

Required Documents for Fort Wayne Short Term Rentals

While the specific documents required as part of the short-term rental permit application process in Fort Wayne are outlined above, hosts will also need to ensure they have:

• Current and valid liability insurance of at least $1,000,000
• Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and a carbon monoxide detector in good working order
• Exterior doors that are operational
• Electrical systems up to code
• Fireplaces cleaned and maintained
• House number visible from the street
• Provisions made for weekly garbage removal
• Bedrooms that are at least 70 square feet in size48

In addition, if the property is served by a private septic system, a septic inspection report issued within the last 90 days must be submitted with the permit application4.

If using a property management company, you must submit a letter or contract authorizing them to act on your behalf, along with the owner's driver's license or company EIN letter8.

Having all required documents prepared in advance will help expedite the licensing process. However, the most critical step is ensuring your property is in compliance with all safety requirements and zoning laws before attempting to obtain a permit.

Fort Wayne Short Term Rental Taxes

The state of Indiana imposes a state sales tax on short-term rentals14. As of 2023, the state sales tax rate is 7%6.In addition to the state sales tax, Allen County, where Fort Wayne is located, charges a 7% innkeeper's tax on short-term rentals less than 30 days. This tax applies to the entire amount paid by the guest, including cleaning fees and other charges36.

Some listing platforms like Airbnb collect and remit these taxes on behalf of hosts. However, it remains the host's responsibility to confirm their compliance with all tax requirements. For hosts managing bookings and payments independently, registering with the county and state to collect and remit the appropriate lodging taxes is mandatory3.

In summary, short-term rental hosts in Fort Wayne must charge a combined 14% in sales and innkeeper's taxes, and regularly submit tax payments to the county and state. Failure to comply can result in fines, penalties, and legal issues that jeopardize your business3.

Fort Wayne wide Short Term Rental Rules

The state of Indiana has some regulations regarding short-term rentals that apply state-wide, in addition to allowing cities to set their own specific rules. In 2018, Indiana passed a law limiting local governments' ability to prohibit or overly restrict STRs35.Key aspects of this state law (Indiana Code § 36-1-24) include:

• Defining short-term rentals and creating a framework for STR regulations
• Prohibiting local bans on owner-occupied STRs (primary residences rented for less than 30 days)
• Allowing non-owner-occupied STRs if they obtain a permit or zoning variance
• Limiting permit fees localities can charge to a maximum of $150
• Making operating an STR without a required local permit a Class C infraction with fines up to $500 per violation
• Preventing regulations on STR booking platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo
• Allowing localities to regulate STRs for public health and safety reasons3

So while the state law doesn't establish universal STR rules, it does restrict outright bans and excessive regulation by municipalities. Cities can set their own specific requirements within this framework, which is what Fort Wayne has done by requiring permits, collecting taxes, and enforcing zoning restrictions on STRs.

Does Fort Wayne strictly enforce STR rules? Is Fort Wayne Airbnb friendly?

The level of enforcement of STR rules in Fort Wayne and the city's overall friendliness towards Airbnb is not explicitly clear from the information provided in the search results. The requirement for hosts to obtain permits, pay taxes, and adhere to zoning laws suggests the city does regulate the industry to some extent14.

However, there are no specific details on how strictly these rules are enforced, what penalties exist for violations, or whether the city is known to be aggressive or lenient towards STR operators. Some cities use fines, legal action, and even property seizures to crack down on un-permitted rentals, while others may have rules on the books but be slow to enforce them unless there are serious complaints3.

The fact that Fort Wayne requires non-owner occupied STRs to get approval from 75% of adjacent neighbors indicates the regulations are somewhat strict and could be a barrier to entry for some. But without clearer data on the number of licensed STRs, application denial rates, fine amounts issued, or comments from local hosts, it's difficult to determine exactly how stringent Fort Wayne is compared to other cities.

The search results also don't contain any definitive statements on whether Fort Wayne is considered a favorable market for Airbnb operators. Factors that make a city Airbnb-friendly include easy, low-cost permitting, reasonable tax rates, lack of night limits or zoning restrictions, and high tourist demand. While Fort Wayne doesn't seem to have a night limit and does collect typical taxes, the zoning and neighbor approval rules suggest it may be a bit more regulated than some cities134.

Ultimately, to assess how welcoming Fort Wayne truly is to STRs would require input from experienced local hosts and a comparison of the city's policies and enforcement practices to other markets. Reading host forums and networking with other operators in the area is recommended for anyone seriously considering starting an Airbnb business there.

How to Start a Short Term Rental Business in Fort Wayne

Based on the information gathered from the search results, here is a summarized step-by-step process to start an STR business in Fort Wayne:

• Research the local STR market and regulations to ensure your property is in a legally zoned area and understand all requirements14.
• Acquire an appropriate property through cash or financing, ensuring it has no HOA restrictions on STRs811.
• Set up your STR with furniture, supplies, safety equipment and amenities necessary to meet guest expectations and city standards4813.
• Apply for a short-term rental permit with the city of Fort Wayne, submitting all required documents, fees, and neighbor approvals if non-owner occupied348.
• Arrange for cleaning, maintenance, and guest support through a cleaner, co-host, or property management service13.
• Create an appealing online listing with professional photos and an accurate, enticing description of your space and its unique features13.
• Set competitive rates, enable instant booking, utilize dynamic pricing tools, and open your calendar to start securing reservations13.
• Register to collect and remit the 7% state sales tax and 7% county innkeeper's tax on all bookings, either through Airbnb or directly1346.
• Maintain detailed records of income and expenses, obtain sufficient liability insurance, and ensure ongoing compliance with all local STR regulations48.
• Solicit 5-star reviews from satisfied guests, continuously improve your listing and hospitality, and scale your business over time.

While this checklist covers many of the essential steps, it's important to recognize that operating an STR comes with ongoing responsibilities and potential challenges. Hosts must be prepared to quickly address any guest issues, property damage, or complaints at all hours. Keeping up with evolving local regulations, tax remittance, and record-keeping also requires diligent administrative work.

For hosts lacking the time or expertise to handle all aspects of STR management, partnering with an experienced short-term rental property management company in Fort Wayne can make the process much smoother. They can assist with permitting, tax compliance, cleaning, maintenance, listing optimization, guest communication, and more, allowing hosts to enjoy the benefits of STR income without all the hands-on work.

Who to contact in Fort Wayne about Short Term Rental Regulations and Zoning?

For information about short-term rental regulations and zoning in Fort Wayne, individuals can contact the Fort Wayne City Planning Department. The search results do not provide a specific phone number or email address for this department.

However, the Fort Wayne Building Commission, which handles the STR permit applications, can be reached at:

Fort Wayne Building Commission
200 E Berry St Suite 450
Fort Wayne, IN 46802

What do Airbnb hosts in Fort Wayne on Reddit and Bigger Pockets think about local regulations?

In summary, individuals looking to start a short-term rental business in Fort Wayne, Indiana, should be aware of the city's regulations, including the requirement to obtain a short-term rental permit and comply with zoning laws. Additionally, compliance with state sales tax on short-term rentals is necessary. For detailed information and to ensure compliance, it is advisable to directly contact the Fort Wayne City Planning Department.