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Alabama county rules

Baldwin County, AL vacation rental rules and taxes

Baldwin County adds a 2% lodging tax only inside its lodging tax district (Gulf Shores, the Fort Morgan peninsula, and areas that opted in, such as Orange Beach), on top of the 4% state tax. City rules vary widely: Gulf Shores, Foley, Daphne, and Bay Minette license short-term rentals, Orange Beach limits them in single-family zones, and Fairhope bars stays under 30 days in R-1 to R-3.

Checked against official sources November 5, 2026

County lodging tax

2% in the lodging tax district

Gulf Shores, unincorporated land south of the Intracoastal Waterway west of Gulf Shores (Fort Morgan), and areas that opted in. Filed with the state.Source

State lodgings tax

4%

County business license

Usually required

A state business license through Baldwin County, renewed each October.Source

What to do

Check the lodging tax district
If your rental is in Gulf Shores, on the Fort Morgan peninsula, or in an area that opted in, add the 2% county lodging tax (filed with the state through My Alabama Taxes).Source
Then your city
City rules differ a lot. Pick your area.

Towns

Bay Minette

Bay Minette charges short-term rentals (under 180 days) a $150 yearly business license plus $20 per unit. Lodgings tax is 13% (9% city since August 2026, plus 4% state).

Daphne

Daphne requires a city business license plus a $20 yearly permit per short-term rental (Ordinance 2023-04), with a 24-hour local contact who responds within 15 minutes, a fire inspection the first year and every three years, parking on site, and no events. Lodgings tax is 10% plus a $2 nightly room fee.

Elberta

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Elberta’s code. You owe 11% (7% town + 4% state) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.

Fairhope

Fairhope doesn’t allow rentals under 30 days in its R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential zones (Ordinance 1336, 2007). They’re allowed in R-4, R-S, B-1, B-2, B-3a, and B-3b with a city business license. Lodgings tax is 10% (6% city plus 4% state).

Foley

Foley requires a city business license plus a $20 yearly permit per short-term rental (under 180 days), with a 24-hour local contact who responds within 15 minutes, a fire inspection the first year, evacuation maps in each bedroom, all parking on site, and no events.

Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores requires a rental business license for short-term rentals in the city and its police jurisdiction: the gross-receipts license fee (from $135) plus $45 a year per vacation rental, a local emergency contact, and a rental safety inspection every three years. Lodgings tax is 16% in the city (10% city, 4% state, 2% county) and 11% in the police jurisdiction.

Loxley

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Loxley’s code. You owe 9% (5% town + 4% state) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.

Magnolia Springs

Magnolia Springs put a moratorium on new short-term rental business licenses in August 2023 while it drafted rules. We couldn’t confirm whether it was extended or replaced. Lodgings tax is 10% (6% town plus 4% state).

Orange Beach

Orange Beach requires a $500 vacation rental license for houses and duplexes rented 14 days or less in its single-family zones (RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, MHS, outside the beach overlay), with a floor plan, site and parking plan, two guests per bedroom plus two children, and a 30-minute complaint response. Every short-term rental also needs a city business license (at least $120 a unit), and lodgings tax is 16%.

Perdido Beach

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Perdido Beach’s code. You owe 9% (5% town + 4% state) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.

Robertsdale

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Robertsdale’s code. You owe 8% (4% city + 4% state) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.

Silverhill

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Silverhill’s code. You owe 4% state in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.

Spanish Fort

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Spanish Fort’s code. You owe 4% (8% more in the Town Center District) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.

Summerdale

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Summerdale’s code. You owe 8% (4% town + 4% state) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.

Unincorporated Baldwin

Unincorporated Baldwin County has no short-term rental permit. On the Fort Morgan peninsula (south of the Intracoastal Waterway, west of Gulf Shores), lodgings tax is 6%: 4% state plus the 2% county district tax. North of the waterway it’s generally the 4% state tax. A state business license through the county is usually required.

Sources

Lodging tax district, Code of Alabama §45-2-243.24 · Baldwin County
State lodgings tax · Alabama Department of Revenue
Business license FAQ · Baldwin County

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.