Green River, Utah Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Green River, UT

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Green River, Utah, but they are subject to specific regulatory requirements and approval processes. Based on the meeting minutes from the Green River Planning Commission, short-term rentals are permitted through a Conditional Use Permit process, with additional licensing and operational requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Green River?

Green River hosts earn a median $19,542/year with $163 ADR and 51% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $27,484+ per year.

See the full Green River market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in Green River

Step-by-Step Process

Property Assessment: Ensure your property is in an appropriate zoning district
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application: Submit to the Planning Commission
Business License: Obtain from the City of Green River (Title 3 of City Codes)
Nightly Rental License: Required separate from business license
State Registration: Register with the State of Utah for sales tax purposes
County Property Classification: List property as residential secondary property with the county
Tax Collection Setup: Establish system for collecting and remitting applicable taxes
Utility Rate Conversion: Transition to commercial water, sewer, and garbage rates

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Mandatory Requirements

Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

Application submitted to Planning Commission
Subject to General Review Criteria (found in 10-13-4 of City Codes)
Approved on case-by-case basis with specific conditions

Business License

Required under Title 3 of City of Green River Codes
Must be obtained before operating
Application must include set occupancy limit

Nightly Rental License

Separate license required in addition to business license
Maximum stay limit of 29 consecutive days must be enforced

State Sales Tax Registration

Register with State of Utah for sales tax collection and remittance
Required for all business operations

County Property Classification

List property as residential secondary property with county assessor
May affect property tax assessments

Safety and Building Compliance

Building and Safety Requirements:

Must meet all applicable building, health, and safety codes
Each sleep room must meet current International Residential Code for egress
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors required in all sleep rooms
Fire Inspector approval required for abnormally large occupancy limits

Specific Regulations

City-Level Regulations (Green River)

Zoning Compatibility:

STRs must be compatible with residential areas
Additional conditions apply when in residential zones
Some properties may require zoning changes before CUP approval

Occupancy Limits:

Maximum occupancy cannot exceed safe occupancy limit of single-family home
Owner must set specific occupancy limit on business license application
Occupancy limits apply to renters, not owner use periods

Maximum Stay Limits:

29 consecutive days maximum for any individual or group
Enforced by property owner/manager

Operational Standards:

No vehicle operation on property that creates loud noise or dust
Must collect and pay applicable taxes
Must pay city business license fees

Utility and Service Regulations

Commercial Utility Rates:

Water, sewer, and garbage fees calculated at commercial rates
Applied once STR operation begins
Higher than residential utility rates

County and State Regulations

County Requirements:

Property must be classified as residential secondary property
May affect property tax assessments
County-level tax implications apply

State Requirements:

Sales tax registration and collection required
State health and safety codes apply
Utah state business licensing requirements

Contact Information

City of Green River

Address: 460 East Main Street, Green River, Utah

Planning Commission:

Meeting Schedule: Regular meetings typically held monthly
Contact through City Hall for applications and inquiries

City Staff:

City Recorder: Conae Black
Planning Staff: Available during regular business hours
Phone: Contact through City Hall main number

Note: For specific phone numbers, email addresses, and website information, contact Green River City Hall directly at the address listed above.

Source Documents

Important Considerations for Investors

Timeline and Process

CUP applications are reviewed at Planning Commission meetings
Public hearings may be required for some applications
Allow sufficient time for permit approval before beginning operations

Ongoing Compliance

Annual business license renewal required
Regular inspections may be required
Tax remittance obligations must be maintained
Utility rates will remain at commercial levels

Property Investment Implications

Commercial utility rates significantly impact operating costs
Property classification changes may affect tax assessments
STR operations may influence future zoning considerations
Market restrictions exist with 29-day maximum stay limits

This guide reflects the regulatory environment as documented in the provided Planning Commission meeting minutes. For the most current information and application procedures, contact Green River City Hall directly.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Green River

Green River is a small city in Emery County, Utah, with a population of roughly 950 residents. It sits along the Green River and Interstate 70, surrounded by the high desert mesas and badlands of the Colorado Plateau. The town has a quiet, working-class character, with a small historic downtown, a handful of motels, and a steady rhythm shaped by passing travelers, river outfitters, and agricultural activity. Green River is best known as a stopover and staging point for visitors heading to the marquee national parks of southeastern Utah, and as a launch point for rafting and kayaking trips on the Green River, including the famous Desolation Canyon and Labyrinth Canyon stretches. It lies about 180 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, making it a natural pause point between the Wasatch Front and Moab.

Just outside of town, Green River State Park offers a convenient base for water-based recreation on the Green River, along with a campground, picnic areas, and a notable 18-hole golf course that draws visitors for its striking desert setting. The park is essentially in Green River, with the entrance only a few minutes' drive from the center of town, and it anchors much of the local outdoor activity.

About 25 miles southwest of Green River, Goblin Valley State Park rewards visitors with a surreal landscape of hoodoos and mushroom-shaped sandstone formations that resemble a gathering of goblins. It is a popular stop for families and photographers, and the short drive makes it an easy day trip from the city.

A roughly 50-mile drive southeast on I-70 and US 191 brings travelers to Arches National Park, home to more than 2,000 natural stone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch. The park's proximity is one of the main reasons Green River functions as a gateway community, and it draws international visitors year-round.

Further afield, Canyonlands National Park lies about 80 miles to the south, offering vast canyon country, mesa-top overlooks, and remote backcountry that appeals to hikers, four-wheelers, and river runners. Many visitors pair a Canyonlands trip with a stay in Green River, particularly those running shuttle or support trips on the river.

Green River's combination of small-town quiet, easy interstate access, and proximity to several of Utah's most visited outdoor destinations makes it a compelling base for short-term rentals. Travelers who use it as a hub can reach multiple national and state parks within an hour or two, while enjoying lower lodging costs and a more relaxed pace than the busier gateway towns farther south.

Green River, Utah

Challenging To Investors

STR Regulations for Green River, Utah