LicensedRental

DeKalb County, Alabama

Fort Payne, AL vacation rental requirements

Fort Payne requires a fire and building inspection, a renting and leasing license, and a $20 yearly permit (renewed each January) for short-term rentals in residential zones. They’re allowed in R-2 to R-5 and Rural Farm; R-1 needs a conditional-use variance. Guests are limited to two plus two per bedroom. Lodgings tax is 13%.

Checked against official sources November 5, 2026

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City permit
$20 per unit a year
Renew in January. Plus a residential renting and leasing license. Ordinance 2024-08.Source
R-1 zone
Conditional-use variance
From the Zoning Board of Adjustments. Allowed in R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, and Rural Farm.Source
Maximum guests
2 + 2 per bedroom
One party at a time.Source
Lodgings tax
13%
7% city + 1% county + 5% state, all filed with the state.Source

Garbage beyond one 95-gallon cart costs extra.

Airbnb’s Alabama tax article lists the state tax and the local taxes the state administers. Taxes filed with a city, a county, or Avenu Insights may not be collected by the platform, so ask what it collects and file the rest yourself.

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.

DeKalb County, Alabama

  1. Register for the county lodgings tax

    File the county tax with the state through My Alabama Taxes, along with the 5% state tax.Source

  2. Then your city

    Pick your area.

City of Fort Payne

  1. Check your zone

    In R-1, apply for a conditional-use variance first. R-1 rentals operating before November 2024 could keep a conditional use until sold if they met the requirements by June 30, 2025.Source

  2. Pass the inspection and get the permit

    The fire marshal and building inspector inspect before licensing. Apply with an emergency contact who responds within an hour, notify adjacent owners in writing, and send proof of vacation rental insurance within 30 days.Source

  3. Register for lodgings tax

    Total lodgings tax here is 13%. All of it is filed with the state through My Alabama Taxes. Airbnb collects the state 5% and any state-administered local tax on its bookings. Ask your platform whether it also collects the other local taxes, and file anything it doesn’t (and all direct bookings) by the 20th of each month.Source

House rules for guests

Parking
On the property, off the street
Source
Events
None allowed
Source
Signs
Address and name only, up to 4 sq ft
Source

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.