Short-Term Rental (STR) Investment Guide: Vincennes, Indiana

Overview: Short-term rentals are allowed in the state of Indiana. There are no specific regulations identified in the provided content for the city of Vincennes or Knox County. Therefore, investors must comply with Indiana state laws.

1. How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Indiana

The process for starting an STR in Indiana is generally straightforward, as it is permitted statewide. Investors should follow these steps:

1. Property Acquisition and Compliance: Secure a property and verify it is zoned appropriately for short-term rental use. While state law permits STRs, local zoning ordinances may still apply at the county or municipal level. It is the investor's responsibility to confirm local zoning rules.
2. Host Registration (Often Required): Indiana law often requires hosts to register with the state or a designated platform. This typically involves providing contact information and property details. The platform used (e.g., Airbnb) may handle this registration automatically upon listing.
3. Tax Registration and Collection: Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting applicable state and local taxes. This includes the Indiana State Gross Retail Tax (sales tax) and any County Innkeeper's Tax. The state sales tax rate is 7%, but an additional county tax may apply. Hosts must register for a Registered Retail Merchant's Certificate (RRMC) with the Indiana Department of Revenue to collect and remit these taxes.
4. Listing and Advertising: Once the above steps are completed, the property can be listed on STR platforms (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo). The platform will usually provide a registration number, which must be displayed on all listings as required by state law.

2. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Based on the general Indiana framework, the following are the key requirements:

• State Registration: Registration with the state or through the hosting platform.
• Tax Registration: An RRMC from the Indiana Department of Revenue.
• Local Zoning Compliance: Verification that the property's use is allowed under local zoning laws.
• County Innkeeper's Tax Registration: Registration with Knox County for any applicable local innkeeper's taxes.

3. Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Indiana (State Level)

• Allowance: Indiana state law explicitly allows for the operation of short-term rentals.
• Tax Collection: Hosts are required to collect the 7% state gross retail tax and any local innkeeper's tax on the rental price.
• Platform Registration: The law mandates that hosts must register with a short-term rental platform and display the platform's registration number on their listings. The platform then reports this information to the state.
• County Innkeeper's Tax: Counties are authorized to impose an additional innkeeper's tax, which the host must also collect and remit.

4. Contact Information for Local Authority (State Level)

For registration and tax-related inquiries, investors should contact the Indiana Department of Revenue.

• Phone: 317-232-2240
• Website: https://www.in.gov/dor/

Since no specific local authority for STRs in Vincennes was identified, the state-level contact is the primary resource for compliance. Investors should also contact the Knox County government to inquire about any local innkeeper's tax or specific county-level regulations that may apply.

• Knox County Website: https://www.knoxcountygov.org/ (Contact information for specific offices can be found on the website).

5. Links to Source Pages

• List of US STR Regulations (Booking.com): https://partner.booking.com/en-gb/legal-resources/laws-and-regulations-short-term-rentals (This page links to the Indiana state resource under the US section).
• CozyCozy Listings (Market Evidence): https://www.cozycozy.com/ca/vincennes-in-short-term-rentals (This page provides evidence that STRs are actively operating in the market).
• Vincennes University Apartments Handbook (Unrelated): https://www.vinu.edu/documents/4068791/57508352/VU+Apartments+Handbook.pdf/VU%20Apartments%20Handbookea77.pdf (This document is not relevant to commercial STR regulations).

Important Note: This guide is based solely on the provided content. It is non-exhaustive and may not reflect the most current regulations. Investors must conduct their own research and consult with local authorities (city of Vincennes and Knox County) and a qualified attorney to ensure full compliance with all applicable laws.