Overview: Short-Term Rental Status in Wilson, WY

Short-term rentals (less than 31 days) are PROHIBITED in Wilson, Wyoming, with very limited exceptions. Wilson is an unincorporated community within Teton County, which enforces extremely restrictive STR regulations. The county mandates a strict 31-day minimum rental requirement for the vast majority of residential properties. Short-term rentals under 31 days are only permitted within designated, pre-approved resort and lodging areas within Teton County.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Wilson

Due to the highly restrictive nature of regulations in Wilson/Teton County, starting a traditional STR business is extremely challenging. The primary options are:

1. Invest Only in Pre-Approved STR Locations: Acquire property specifically located within the designated resort areas listed below. These are the only locations where legal short-term rentals (under 31 days) are permitted.
2. Pivot to Long-Term Rentals: For properties outside these approved areas, the only legal rental option is for 31 days or more.

Approved Designated STR Locations (Per Teton County LDR Section 6.1.5)

The following specific locations within Teton County are legally permitted to host short-term rentals:

• The Aspens (condominiums and single-family homes)

• Crescent H "Fish Lodges" (Crescent H lot 8)

• Golf Creek (condominiums only)

• Teton Shadows (condominiums only)

• Jackson Hole Racquet Club Resort Commercial Area (Teton Pines 64 lodging units)

• Spring Creek Ranch (up to 200 units of the 301 dwelling units permitted)

• Teton Village Area I (condominiums and single-family homes)

• Teton Village Area II (condominiums and townhouses)

• Snake River Sporting Club Resort Area II & III

• Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Resort (cabins only)

• Grand Targhee Resort

• Crucial: Investors must verify that a specific property is legally within one of these designated zones before purchase. Location is paramount.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

1. For Properties in Approved STR Locations:

   • Compliance with LDRs: Adherence to Teton County Land Development Regulations (LDRs), specifically Section 6.1.5 (Short-Term Rental Units) and Section 6.1.4.A (Residential Uses).
   • Zoning Verification: Property must be legally zoned within an approved resort/lodging area.
   • HOA/Subdivision Rules: Many approved locations are within planned developments or subdivisions. Investors must strictly comply with any additional covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) set by the Homeowners' Association or developer, which may impose further limits on STR operations (e.g., rental caps, owner-use requirements, management rules).

2. For All Properties (Long-Term Rentals & Accessory Residential Units):

   • 31-Day Minimum Lease: All leases (written or verbal) involving payment or in-kind service must be for a minimum of 31 days. No occupancy restrictions for less than 31 days are allowed.
   • No Concurrent Occupancy: Properties cannot have "other occupancy within those 31 days" (i.e., cannot rent to multiple parties within the same 31-day period).
   • Family Occupancy Definition (LDR Sec. 9.5): When rented long-term, occupants must comply with the county's "family" definition: "one (1) or more individuals related by blood, marriage, adoption, or guardianship, OR not more than six (6) individuals not so related, occupying a dwelling unit and living as a single housekeeping unit."

3. Accessory Residential Units (ARUs / Guest Houses):

   • ARU Permit: Properties with legal ARUs must hold a valid permit.
   • 90-Day Minimum Rental: Leases must be for a minimum of 90 days.
   • Restricted Occupancy: Rental is limited to:
     • Persons employed within Teton County.
     • Family members of the primary house occupants.
     • Unpaid guests of the family occupying the main house.
   • Non-Compliance Consequences: Violating ARU rules can result in immediate permit revocation and requirement to remove sleeping, cooking, and bathing facilities.

4. Operational Compliance (All Legal Rentals):

   • Bear-Proof Trash Containers: Required for all of Teton County (LDR Sec. 5.1.3).
   • Lodging Tax: Hosts operating legally in approved areas are likely required to collect and remit Teton County's lodging tax. (Check with the Teton County Treasurer for current rates and requirements). This is a state/county-level tax, not a city-specific one.

Important Note: The provided sources do not mention a specific county-level business license or registration requirement solely for STR operators beyond compliance with the LDRs and tax obligations. Investors should confirm current requirements with the Teton County Planning & Building Department.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Teton County Land Development Regulations (LDRs)

• Section 6.1.4.A - Residential Uses: States: "No residential unit or portion of a residential unit may be rented such that occupancy is limited to less than 31 days. Short-term rental of less than 31 days shall be considered a lodging use subject to the standards of Section 6.1.5."
• Section 6.1.5 - Short-Term Rental Units: Lists the specific, approved locations where lodging-use STRs (under 31 days) are permitted. Details any specific standards or caps for those areas (e.g., Spring Creek Ranch's 200-unit limit).
• Section 6.1.11.B - Accessory Residential Units: Details the 90-day minimum rental requirement and strict occupancy limitations for ARUs.
• Section 9.5 - Defined Terms: Contains the "Family" definition governing long-term rental occupancy limits.

Enforcement & Penalties (Per Wyoming Statutes & County Enforcement)

• Fines: Up to $750 per offense.
• Continuing Violations: Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense.
• Legal Action: Violations are forwarded to the County Attorney. The County can seek abatement.
• Monitoring: County staff actively monitors platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway for non-compliant listings. Non-compliant listings are subject to enforcement.
• Reporting Violations: Violations can be reported to the County's Code Compliance division.

Contact Information for Local Authority in Charge of STRs

Teton County Planning & Building Department

• Physical Address: 200 South Willow Street, Jackson, WY 83001
• Phone (Main): 307-732-8200
• Phone (Planning & Building Dept direct line): 307-733-3959
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1727, Jackson, WY 83001-1727
• Website: Teton County Short-Term Rental Violations (Primary Resource)
• Code Enforcement Reporting:
  • Phone: 307-733-3959
  • Online Portal: Teton County Code Enforcement

Important Source Links

1. Teton County Short-Term Rental Violations Page - Primary enforcement information and approved STR locations.
2. Teton County FAQ: "Can I rent out my home or guest house?" - Concise confirmation of the 31-day rule, approved areas, ARU rules, and contact info.
3. Teton County Land Development Regulations - Section 6.1.4.A (PDF) - Legal text of the residential use prohibition.
4. Teton County Land Development Regulations - Section 6.1.5 (PDF) - Complete list of approved STR locations and associated standards.
5. Teton County Land Development Regulations - Section 6.1.11.B (PDF) - Legal text on Accessory Residential Unit rental standards.
6. Wyoming Public Media: "Jackson officials mull changes to short-term rental policies" - Context article discussing Jackson's distinct rules and potential changes (relevant for broader Teton County market, but note Jackson/Town of Jackson rules may differ from unincorporated Wilson).
7. Checkmate Rentals - Wilson, Wyoming (Marketing Site) - Non-official source offering local property management perspective (verify all claims independently).

State-Level Wyoming Regulations Context

Wilson operates under Teton County regulations, which are significantly more restrictive than any state-level laws. Wyoming statutes authorize counties to adopt and enforce land use regulations and penalties like those implemented by Teton County. There are no overarching Wyoming state statutes that permit or regulate STRs at the state level; this is handled entirely at the county/municipal level.

Recommendations for Potential STR Investors

1. Critical Verification: Never purchase a property in Wilson expecting to operate an STR without absolute certainty it is located within one of the county-approved areas. This is non-negotiable.
2. Consult Directly: Before any investment or rental decision, contact the Teton County Planning & Building Department at 307-733-3959 to confirm the specific property's zoning and STR status.
3. Focus on Long-Term Rentals: For the vast majority of Wilson properties, the only viable rental strategy is long-term (31+ days). Adjust your investment model accordingly.
4. Review LDRs Thoroughly: Obtain and thoroughly review the Teton County Land Development Regulations, particularly Articles 6 and 9, before committing to any investment or rental plan.
5. Budget for Compliance: Ensure you have the resources to comply with all regulations, including bear-proof trash containers, potential HOA fees/requirements, and tax obligations.
6. Understand Enforcement: Be aware that Teton County actively enforces these rules, with significant financial penalties for violations.

Wilson, Wyoming, presents an exceptionally challenging environment for traditional short-term rental investment. Success requires meticulous due diligence focused solely on the approved resort zones or a complete shift to long-term rental strategies.