Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Coeur d'Alene?

YES, short-term rentals ARE explicitly allowed in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The City of Coeur d'Alene's City Council passed rules and regulations related to short-term stays in residential structures, sometimes referred to as Vacation Rentals (VR), on December 5th, 2017. The ordinance legalizes short-term rentals in the City and is consistent with Idaho HB 216 (signed by the Governor on April 4, 2017 and effective January 1, 2018).

The city has established a comprehensive permitting system with approximately 750 short-term rentals registered, with just under 700 licenses issued as of early 2024. However, the city is actively enforcing regulations and searching for properties operating without permits, with fines of $1,000 for operating without proper licensing.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Coeur d'Alene

Step 1: Account Creation and Initial Setup

1. Create a Personal Web Account: Before applying for any license, you must first have a personal web account issued to you. Visit www.cdaid.org/License and click the button at the top to apply for a personal account at www.cdaid.org/License/ApplyForPersonAccount
2. Staff Review: City staff will review your application and email login details upon approval

Step 2: Application Process

1. Review Requirements: Thoroughly review the supporting documents and the Short-Term-Rental ordinance
2. Prepare Documentation: Gather all required supporting documents (see detailed list below)
3. Online Application: Complete the license application at www.cdaid.org/License
4. Processing Order: Permits are processed and issued in the order received

Step 3: Ongoing Compliance

• Maintain active permit status with annual renewals
• Ensure 24/7 availability of owner or responsible party
• Respond to complaints within 60 minutes to prevent police calls
• Display permit number on all advertisements

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Required Permits and Fees

• Short-Term Rental Business License (required annually)
• First Year Fee: $285
• Renewal Fee: $180

Required Supporting Documentation

Parking Plan:

• Number and location of parking stalls
• Street/Avenue/Road designation with address

Safety Documentation:

• Safety Sheet for each floor showing:
  • Escape plan with locations of all rooms, doors, and windows
  • Gas, water, electrical shut-off locations where applicable
  • Emergency contact number (not 9-1-1)

Property Information:

• Owner contact information (Name, Address, Email, Phone)
• Responsible Party information (if applicable - Name, Address, Email, Phone)
• Emergency phone number
• Address numbers facing street (4" tall & ½" stroke minimum)
• Type of unit (Condo, house, ADU, etc.)

Safety Equipment Compliance:

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed where needed
• 2-A-10-BC Fire extinguishers on each floor (tested) with inspection date (Month/Year)
• Date of fire sprinkler suppression system inspection (if applicable - typical for multi-family/condo buildings)

Neighborhood Compliance:

• Notices provided to adjacent neighbors with name/address/date of notice for each
• Documentation of trash container usage
• Compliance with occupancy limits (like any other residential property)

Supporting Documents Available for Download

• Short-Term Rental Regulations
• Good Neighbor Pamphlet
• Neighborhood Notice Template
• Parking Plan Template
• Fire Department Safety Sheet

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State Level

City of Coeur d'Alene Regulations

Occupancy and Duration:

• Short-term rentals defined as stays from 1 night up to 29 days
• 30+ days considered month-to-month typical rental
• Exemption: Short-term rental of unit/bedroom for no more than 14 days per calendar year (may be divided into 2 stays)

Permit Requirements:

• All permitted STRs must post permit number on all advertisements
• Permits are not transferable from owner to owner or property to property
• Online Application/Self-inspection Checklist must be completed annually

Operational Requirements:

• Owner or responsible party must be available 24/7 while unit is occupied
• 60-minute window for resolution of issues to prevent police calls
• Posting of emergency contact numbers and emergency exit routes inside STR
• Required information provided to renters: copy of permit, safety plan, contact info for responsible parties, Good Neighbor Policy, trash days

Property Use Restrictions:

• Only one unit per owner per parcel to be rented as STR (prevents multi-family from becoming pseudo-hotel)
• Allows use of ADU OR associated principal dwelling as STR (but not both)
• New construction of ADU used as STR triggers payment of impact fees (existing units grandfathered)
• New ADU construction requires 1 parking stall provided onsite

Prohibited Activities:

• Outdoor storage and signs
• No restriction on number of STRs on different parcels owned by same person (if permitted)

Parking and Storage:

• Parking plan must be provided to city and renters
• Trash container usage required
• Address numbers facing street minimum 4" tall & ½" stroke

Enforcement and Compliance:

• Code Enforcement actively searching for properties operating without permits
• Violations result in fines up to $1,000
• City hired Granicus agency for $50,000 to help regulate STRs and find unpermitted properties

State of Idaho Regulations

• Compliance with HB 216 (effective January 1, 2018) which legalized short-term rentals statewide
• State sales tax and resort city tax requirements where applicable
• Registration with Idaho State Tax Commission for sales tax collection purposes

County Level Regulations

• No specific Kootenai County STR regulations identified in the provided content
• City regulations apply within city limits

Note: The City is considering a code rewrite and beginning discussions with City Council as of 2023, so regulations may evolve.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary STR Licensing Contact

Kelley Setters (Deputy City Clerk)

• Email: Available through city contact system (see city website)
• Phone: (208) 769-2229 (ext. 229)

City of Coeur d'Alene Main Contact

• Address: 710 E. Mullan Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
• Phone: (208) 769-2300
• Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday
• Website: www.cdaid.org

Emergency and Complaint Contacts

Non-Urgent STR Issues:

• 24/7 Hotline: (208) 416-2502
• Online Form: https://secure.hostcompliance.com/coeur-dalene-id/complaints/type

Urgent Issues:

• Police Department: (208) 446-1854
• Note: Indicate when calling that issue is STR-related

After Hours Emergency Utilities:

• Water Emergency: (208) 755-9729
• Sewer Emergency: (208) 769-2241

Additional Resources

• Online STR Permit Map: https://maps.cdaid.org/shorttermrentals/
• Current City Code: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/coeurdaleneid/latest/coeurdalene_id/0-0-0-12727
• STR Online Application: www.cdaid.org/license/

Links to Source Pages

Official City Resources

1. Short-Term Rental (Vacation Rentals) Ordinance - Main Page
2. Short-Term Rentals - Planning Department
3. City Code - Short-Term Rental Regulations
4. STR Permit Application Portal
5. Current STR Map

Supporting Documents

6. Short-Term Rental Regulations (Full Ordinance)
7. Good Neighbor Pamphlet
8. Neighborhood Notice Template
9. Parking Plan Template
10. Fire Department Safety Sheet

Compliance and Complaint Resources

11. STR Complaint Hotline Form
12. STR Frequently Asked Questions
13. Planning Commission STR Materials

News and Context

14. KREM News Article on STR Impact

This comprehensive guide provides all necessary information for short-term rental investors to understand and comply with Coeur d'Alene's regulations while operating successfully in this market. The city has established a clear regulatory framework that balances tourism opportunities with neighborhood preservation.