Note on scope: The sources provided do not include a dedicated Belen short-term rental (STR) permitting ordinance, business license requirement, or inspection checklist. The city has confirmed that STRs are subject to its lodgers tax, but city-specific licensing, zoning, safety, or occupancy rules are not detailed in the provided content. Where city specifics are absent, this guide provides New Mexico state-level requirements that likely apply and flags items to verify with local authorities.

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Belen?

• Explicit answer: Yes. The City of Belen expressly treats short-term rentals as subject to its lodgers tax. The council increased the lodgers tax to 5% and explicitly noted that short-term rentals such as Airbnbs are included. There is no indication of a prohibition on STRs in the provided sources.
• Practical implication: STRs are allowed and taxed in Belen; however, the sources do not document city permitting, registration, or zoning restrictions specific to STRs. Owners should confirm whether a separate city license, zoning clearance, or inspections are required before operating.

How to Start an STR Business in Belen

1. Land use and zoning

• Confirm that your property is in a zone where transient lodging is permitted in Belen; verify occupancy limits and any STR-related restrictions. The provided sources do not include Belen’s zoning/STR rules.

2. Secure appropriate insurance

• Replace any homeowner or landlord policy with a specialized STR policy (property, liability, business income, and endorsement coverage for risks like property entrustment, amenity liability, bed bugs, squatters, and liquor liability). See Proper Insurance for industry-specific options.

3. Register for and comply with taxes

• Register for New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax and Lodgers Tax with the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department.
• Collect and remit Belen’s lodgers tax (5% as of the latest available update).
• Determine whether additional local occupancy or hospitality fees apply under Belen’s ordinance for small properties (e.g., buildings with three rooms or fewer), as noted by city staff.

4. Set up bookkeeping and compliance procedures

• Maintain guest records, booking dates, and tax remittances. Set monthly/quarterly filing schedules and allocate time for state/local returns.

5. Safety, amenity, and neighborhood best practices

• Install/maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; ensure pool/spa safety and clear rules; post emergency contacts; provide trash/waste information; manage noise and parking. Although Belen-specific rules are not detailed in the sources, aligning with common city standards reduces risk.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Business setup
  • Entity selection and registration with the New Mexico Secretary of State (if applicable).
  • New Mexico business registration, state tax accounts, and employer identification (as needed).
• Taxes
  • NM Gross Receipts Tax: register with the NM Taxation and Revenue Department and comply with filing/payment requirements.
  • NM Lodgers Tax: register and collect/remit, in addition to the state-level gross receipts tax, unless an exemption applies (the ABQ memo indicates state legislation removed a prior exemption for STRs).
  • Belen Lodgers Tax: 5% tax on visitors staying at local motels, hotels, and STRs; verify collection/remittance procedures with the city finance/treasury department.
• Permits/Licenses (verification required)
  • No Belen STR permit or business license is documented in the sources. Confirm with the City Clerk/Code Enforcement whether a local business license/STR permit or inspections are required.
• Insurance
  • Maintain a comprehensive STR policy that includes property, liability, business income, and special endorsements (property entrustment, pet/animal liability, bed bug protection, squatters protection, amenity liability, liquor liability).
• Advertising and compliance records
  • Although not documented for Belen, many jurisdictions require permit display and permit number on marketing materials. Verify local requirements.

Specific Regulations: Belen and New Mexico

• City of Belen (municipal)
  • Lodgers tax increased from 4% to 5%, explicitly covering short-term rentals such as Airbnbs.
  • Ordinance amendments targeted certain temporary or short-term housing arrangements and occupancy taxes for small buildings (three rooms or fewer). Confirm applicability and details with city staff.
  • No city-specific permitting, zoning, or safety requirements for STRs are documented in the sources; verify with the city.
• State of New Mexico
  • Lodgers Tax: State-level lodgers tax applies, and recent legislation removed an exemption previously used by some STR operators (effective 2020 per the Albuquerque task force memo). Hosts must collect and remit lodgers tax unless exempt.
  • Gross Receipts Tax: New Mexico’s gross receipts tax applies to most businesses, including STRs, unless a statutory exemption applies.
  • Advertising restrictions: Not specified for Belen in the sources. Albuquerque task force materials recommended requiring permit numbers on ads and treating unpermitted advertisements as evidence of illegal activity, but this is not documented as Belen policy.

Local Authority Contacts (for verification)

• City of Belen, City Hall (general)
  • Physical address: 1000 S. Main Street, Belen, NM 87002
  • Phone: 505-966-2584
  • Official website: cityofbelen.com (to be verified)
  • Email: Not provided in the sources; contact via website or main phone.
  • Topics to confirm: business licensing/STR permitting, lodgers tax collection process, occupancy tax for small buildings, safety/inspection requirements.
• New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department (state taxes)
  • Phone: 505-827-0700
  • Website: tax.newmexico.gov (general)

Sources

• ABQ Journal (July 15, 2022): Belen increases lodgers tax to 5%, explicitly including short-term rentals in the tax ordinance. www.abqjournal.com/2516654/belen-increases-lodgers-tax-by-1.html
• City of Albuquerque STR Task Force materials: State-level context on Lodgers Tax (SB 106 removing STR exemption) and common regulatory practices (registration, taxation, advertising, occupancy). www.cabq.gov/council/documents/str-presentation.pdf
• Proper Insurance page for NM STR insurance and context on industry norms (endorsements and coverages relevant to STR risk management). www.proper.insure/short-term-rental-insurance/new-mexico/
• Belen Zoning (no STR-specific ordinance provided in the content): library.municode.com/nm/belen/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.33MIUS

Disclaimer: Because the provided sources do not include Belen’s specific STR licensing, zoning, or safety regulations, several items are flagged “verify with local authorities.” New Mexico state-level tax requirements are included for compliance context.