Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Monument Valley, UT?

Explicit answer: Yes—subject to state and county requirements, there is no explicit prohibition. Monument Valley is an unincorporated area in San Juan County, so short‑term rentals are governed by Utah state law and San Juan County rules. You must obtain the required Utah and county authorizations (permit and tax license) and comply with all safety, zoning, and listing requirements. See “Regulatory Landscape” and “Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses” for specifics. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah

Regulatory Landscape (City/County/State)

• City-level: Monument Valley is unincorporated; there are no city‑specific STR rules. All requirements derive from Utah state law and San Juan County. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• County-level: San Juan County is the local jurisdiction of record for STR permitting and zoning. You must obtain a county-issued short-term rental permit and comply with county zoning and safety requirements. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• State-level (Utah): State rules apply statewide and require a local permit, a state sales and use tax license, designated local contact, completion of an approved education course, compliance with safety standards, occupancy limits, and adherence to zoning and advertising rules. Operating without a license is a Class C misdemeanor. Sources: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah; www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2016-06-22/places-with-strict-airbnb-laws

How to Start a Short-Term Rental in Monument Valley (Step-by-Step)

1. Verify zoning eligibility:
   • Confirm the parcel allows short-term rentals as an accessory or permitted use under San Juan County zoning. Contact county planning/zoning to confirm your address and use. Sources: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
2. Obtain required authorizations:
   • Apply for a San Juan County short-term rental permit. You will also need to register for a Utah Sales and Use Tax License (transient lodging is taxable in Utah). Sources: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
3. Education and local contact:
   • Both the owner and the designated local contact must complete a Utah-approved short-term rental education course. Designate a local contact who lives within a one-hour drive of the property and is not designated as the local contact for more than 19 other STRs. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
4. Safety and occupancy:
   • Install and maintain required safety equipment: at least one functioning smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher on each level. Maintain maximum occupancy at four, plus two per additional bedroom beyond the first. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
5. Operational compliance:
   • Subdivision prohibition: the property cannot be subdivided into multiple STR units; you can only accept one reservation at a time. Maintain your permit, complete annual inspections if required by county/state, and keep your listing current with your STR permit number. Sources: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
6. Taxes and accounting:
   • Collect applicable transient lodging taxes via your Utah tax account and remit to the Utah State Tax Commission per filing schedule. Maintain records for audits. Sources: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• San Juan County short-term rental permit application (municipal/county-level approval). Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Utah Sales and Use Tax License registration (state-level). Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Short-term rental education course completion certificates (owner and designated local contact). Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Safety equipment documentation (installation/inspection logs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher per level). Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Occupancy and zoning evidence (floor plan showing bedrooms; county zoning confirmation). Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Insurance (general liability and property; consider coverage for transient lodging exposures).
• Local contact designation (name, address within one-hour drive, phone, email; ensure the contact is not designated for more than 19 other STRs). Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Advertisement compliance (include STR permit number on every listing). Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Business records (guest logs, tax filings, inspection reports, safety maintenance logs).
• Annual inspections and fee payments as required by county/state. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah

Specific Regulations (Monument Valley/San Juan County/Utah)

• State permit requirement: STRs must have a permit from the municipality or county where the property is located (here, San Juan County) and a Utah Sales and Use Tax License. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Listing requirements: Display your STR permit number on every listing/advertisement. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Local contact and education: Owner and local contact must complete an approved education course; the local contact must live within one-hour drive and cannot serve more than 19 other STRs. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Safety standards: Each level must have at least one functioning smoke detector, CO detector, and fire extinguisher. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Occupancy limits: Maximum occupancy is four; plus two occupants per additional bedroom beyond the first. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Subdivision prohibition: The property cannot be subdivided into multiple STR units; only one reservation per unit at a time. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Zoning restrictions: STRs are subject to local zoning. Verify that your property’s zone allows STR use. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Fees and inspections: Expect application fees and annual inspections; fees vary by jurisdiction. Source: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• Enforcement and penalties: Operating without a license is a Class C misdemeanor; local enforcement varies due to platform-access limitations. Sources: www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah; www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2016-06-22/places-with-strict-airbnb-laws

Note on city-specific rules: Monument Valley is not an incorporated city; no city ordinances apply. County and state requirements control.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• San Juan County (primary permitting authority for Monument Valley; unincorporated area)
  • Phone: (435) 587-3225
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: www.sanjuancounty.org
  • Address: 117 S Main St, Monticello, UT 84535
• Utah State Tax Commission (sales and use tax license for transient lodging)
  • Phone: (801) 297-2200
  • Website: tax.utah.gov
• Utah Division of Real Estate (for guidance on vacation rental licensing, if applicable)
  • Website: drec.utah.gov

Use the links in the “Links to Source Pages” section to reach the most current application portals and forms.

Links to Source Pages

• www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah
• www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2016-06-22/places-with-strict-airbnb-laws
• dlg.colorado.gov/accessory-dwelling-units (context only; not specific to UT/Monument Valley)
• www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/canyon-point-utah (reiterated for quick access to state STR overview within RedAwning content)

Practical Compliance Checklist for Monument Valley Investors

• Confirm zone allows STR use with San Juan County.
• Apply for county STR permit and state tax account.
• Complete education course (owner and local contact).
• Install and log safety equipment per level.
• Confirm occupancy limits and house rules.
• Include STR permit number on all listings.
• Maintain booking logs and tax filings.
• Schedule and pass annual inspections.
• Verify local contact eligibility and assign only one contact per property.
• Maintain insurance appropriate for transient lodging.

This guide synthesizes the available sources and focuses exclusively on Monument Valley (San Juan County) and Utah state requirements. For granular questions on zoning and permitting timelines, contact San Juan County directly using the information above.