Clovis, New Mexico Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Clovis, NM

Short-term rentals are ALLOWED in Clovis, New Mexico, but they are classified as conditional uses in most residential and commercial zoning districts. This means investors must obtain conditional use approval before operating an STR in the city.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Clovis?

Clovis hosts earn a median $28,319/year with $118 ADR and 77% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $37,613+ per year.

See the full Clovis market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Clovis

Step-by-Step Process

Property Zoning Verification
- Confirm your property is in an eligible zoning district (RS-170, RS-7, RM, CG, or CBD)
- STRs are prohibited in Industrial (I) and Public/Institutional (PI) districts
Conditional Use Application
- File for conditional use approval as "Short-term rental" is a conditional use (marked "C" in zoning tables)
- Follow the conditional use procedures outlined in Section 17.65.110
Compliance Verification
- Ensure property meets all residential building requirements for the underlying zoning district
- Verify owner-occupancy requirement (definition requires owner-occupied residential dwelling unit)
Permit Acquisition
- Obtain building permits if any modifications are needed
- Secure any required business licenses from the city

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Zoning and Land Use Requirements

Zoning Districts Where STRs are Allowed (Conditional Use):

RS-170 (Residential Single-family -170)
RS-7 (Residential Single-family -7)
RM (Residential Multi-family)
CG (Commercial General)
CBD (Central Business District)

Prohibited Locations:

I (Industrial) districts
PI (Public and Institutional) districts

Building and Development Standards

Properties must comply with the underlying zoning district regulations, including:

Residential Districts (RS-170, RS-7, RM):

Minimum lot areas per dwelling unit
Setback requirements (street, side, rear)
Maximum building height limitations
Parking requirements (Chapter 17.40)
Landscaping and screening (Chapter 17.50)

Commercial Districts (CG, CBD):

Commercial lot and building regulations
Parking standards
Sign regulations (Chapter 17.45)

Key Regulatory Requirements

Owner-Occupancy Requirement: STRs must use an "owner-occupied residential dwelling unit for lodging"
Conditional Use Approval: Required before operation
Building Code Compliance: Must meet all applicable building codes
Business Licensing: Must obtain valid business license from the city

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City-Level Regulations (Clovis)

Conditional Use Standards:

STRs require conditional use approval under Section 17.65.110
Planning and Zoning Commission reviews and approves conditional uses
Additional conditions may be imposed during approval process

Zoning Compliance:

Must comply with all underlying zoning district regulations
Subject to parking, landscaping, signage, and other general regulations
Building modifications require appropriate permits

Operating Requirements:

Must maintain owner-occupancy
Comply with all building and safety codes
Follow any additional conditions imposed during conditional use approval

County-Level Regulations

Note: County-level STR regulations were not found in the provided content. Investors should verify current Curry County requirements separately.

State-Level Regulations (New Mexico)

Note: State-level STR regulations were not provided in the content. Investors should consult New Mexico state law for additional requirements, including:

State tax obligations (Gross Receipts Tax)
Any state-level licensing requirements
Consumer protection regulations
Local-option tax considerations

Contact Information

City of Clovis - Planning and Zoning

Planning and Zoning Department

Phone: (575) 769-7828
Email: planning@cityofclovis.org
Website: www.cityofclovis.org
Address: City Hall, 321 Connelly Street, Clovis, NM 88101

Director of Building Safety

Phone: (575) 769-7828
Email: building@cityofclovis.org
Role: Interprets zoning regulations, reviews building permits

City Commission

Phone: (575) 769-7828
Role: Final approval authority for zoning map amendments and conditional uses

Source Links

Clovis Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)
- Chapter 17.30.020.D.8.d - Short-term rental definition and regulations
- Table 30-1 - Allowed uses by zoning district
- Section 17.65.110 - Conditional use procedures
- Chapter 17.10 - Residential district regulations
- Chapter 17.15 - Commercial district regulations

Important Notes for Investors

Conditional Use Process: The conditional use approval process involves public hearings and may take 60-90 days to complete
Neighbor Notification: Adjacent property owners will be notified of the conditional use application
Ongoing Compliance: Operators must maintain compliance with all imposed conditions and general regulations
Zoning Verification: Always verify current zoning classification before purchasing property for STR use
Professional Consultation: Consider consulting with local zoning attorneys or real estate professionals familiar with Clovis regulations

Disclaimer: This guide is based on the provided municipal code content. Investors should verify current regulations and requirements with local authorities, as zoning laws and requirements may change. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

Next step

Found a property in Clovis?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Clovis

Clovis, New Mexico is the county seat of Curry County, sitting on the high plains of eastern New Mexico near the Texas border. The city has a population of around 37,000 and carries the relaxed, no-nonsense character of a working plains town, where ranching, rail, and the U.S. Air Force all leave their mark. Cannon Air Force Base sits just to the west of town, making the military community an important part of daily life, and Clovis serves as the main commercial and medical hub for surrounding rural communities. The nearest major city is Lubbock, Texas, located roughly 100 miles to the southeast.

One of the city's most distinctive draws is the Norman Petty Studios and museum in downtown Clovis. This is the small studio where rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly and the Crickets cut several of their early hits, including "Peggy Sue" and "Oh, Boy!," along with artists like Roy Orbison and the Fireballs. The studio has been preserved as a working museum and remains a pilgrimage stop for music history enthusiasts traveling through eastern New Mexico.

About a 20-minute drive east of the city lies the Blackwater Draw National Historic Landmark, the archaeological site where the first recognized "Clovis culture" spear points were unearthed in the 1930s. The discovery gave the city its name in scientific literature and remains one of the most important Paleo-Indian sites in North America, with an associated museum and dig exhibits open to the public.

Within city limits, Hillcrest Park and the adjoining Clovis Zoo provide a leafy break from the surrounding plains. The park features walking paths, sports facilities, and a small community zoo that draws regional families and visiting relatives of airmen stationed at Cannon.

Clovis's appeal as a short-term rental base comes from its crossroads position in the southern High Plains. Visitors arrive for a range of reasons, including visiting service members and their families, hunters heading out to leased ranches, music and archaeology tourists, and road-trippers exploring the lesser-traveled eastern New Mexico stretch of the old Santa Fe Trail corridor. Combined with small-town comforts and a quieter pace than nearby Texas cities, Clovis offers short-term rental owners a steady, varied clientele throughout the year.