LicensedRental

Dallas County, Alabama

Selma, AL vacation rental requirements

We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Selma’s code. Lodgings tax is 13% plus $2 a night (9% city plus a $2 room fee, and 4% state), all filed with the state through My Alabama Taxes since September 2026, so Airbnb collects it on its bookings.

Checked against official sources November 5, 2026

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City rental permit
None found
Lodgings tax
13% + $2 a night
9% city + $2 per room night + 4% state. Lower in the police jurisdiction.Source
Who collects
The state (locality 9379)
Since the September 2026 period.Source

We searched Selma’s code in November 2026 and found no short-term rental rules. Confirm with the city before you list.

Your licensing checklist

In order: the state, the county, then the town.

State of Alabama

  1. Register for the lodgings tax

    Create an account at My Alabama Taxes (MAT) and register for state lodgings tax, plus any local lodgings taxes the state administers for your county and city. Cities that collect their own tax need a separate account with the city.Source

    My Alabama Taxes →

  2. File by the 20th

    Returns are due by the 20th of the following month. Small filers can ask (before February 20) to file quarterly, twice a year, or yearly. Paying on time earns a small discount (5% of the first $100 of tax, 2% after).Source

  3. Know what the platform collects

    Under Act 2024-334, Airbnb, VRBO, and other booking platforms collect the state and local lodgings taxes on their bookings unless your contract says you remit. You still owe tax on direct bookings, and the law adds a yearly report of every unit rented more than 14 days.Source

  4. Keep filing once you register

    If every booking goes through a platform that collects all your state and local lodgings taxes, you may not need your own account. But if you take direct bookings, or the platform doesn’t collect one of your local taxes (often the ones filed with a city, a county, or Avenu), register and file it yourself. Once registered, file every period, even a $0 return, and report platform-collected sales as a deduction. Some county offices ask owners to keep their own account and file monthly even when the platform pays, so ask yours.Source

  5. Then your county and city

    Local business licenses, rental permits, and zoning rules are where Alabama towns differ most. Pick your area.

Dallas County, Alabama

  1. Register for lodgings tax

    File the state 4% through My Alabama Taxes (Airbnb collects it on its bookings). Selma and Valley Grande add city taxes, both filed with the state.Source

  2. Then your city

    Pick your area.

City of Selma

  1. Register for lodgings tax

    Total lodgings tax here is 13% plus $2 a night. File the state and Selma lodgings taxes together on the city/county return in My Alabama Taxes (Selma lodgings is locality 9379). Airbnb collects these on its bookings; for direct bookings, file by the 20th of each month.Source

  2. Ask about a business license and zoning

    Ask the City of Selma whether a short-term rental needs a city business license and whether zoning allows it at your address.

Sources

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.