Alabama county rules
Mobile County, AL vacation rental rules and taxes
Mobile County adds a 2% lodging tax countywide (collected by the Mobile County License Commission) on top of the 4% state tax, and sells the state and county business license. The City of Mobile requires a business license and zoning approval for each short-term rental, and Dauphin Island caps rentals and sets minimum stays.
Checked against official sources November 5, 2026What to do
Register for the county lodging tax
File the 2% county tax with the Mobile County License Commission (My Alabama Taxes is the preferred way).Source
Then your city
Pick your area.
Towns
Bayou La Batre
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Bayou La Batre’s code. You owe 16% (10% city + 4% state + 2% county) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.
Full guideChickasaw
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Chickasaw’s code. You owe 19% (13% city + 4% state + 2% county) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.
Full guideCitronelle
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Citronelle’s code. You owe 6% (4% state + 2% county) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.
Full guideCreola
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Creola’s code. You owe 14% (8% city + 4% state + 2% county) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.
Full guideDauphin Island
Dauphin Island allows short-term rentals only in three overlay districts: STROD1 (capped at 90 licenses) and STROD2 (70) with a 3-night minimum, and STROD3 (no cap) with a 2-night minimum. New licenses need Planning Commission approval. The yearly rental license is $135 for most owners, due by January 31, with a safety inspection every three years. Lodgings tax is 13%.
Full guideMobile (city)
The City of Mobile requires a separate business license for each short-term rental location (under 180 days), with the license number in every listing and a local contact answering 24/7. Short-term rentals also need a zoning conditional use permit from the City Council: at most 8 guest rooms, one group at a time, 2 parking spaces plus 1 per guest room, and no ADUs or RVs. Lodgings tax is 16% (10% city, 4% state, 2% county).
Full guideMount Vernon
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Mount Vernon’s code. You owe 12% (6% town + 4% state + 2% county) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.
Full guidePrichard
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Prichard’s code. You owe 14% (8% city + 4% state + 2% county) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.
Full guideSaraland
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Saraland’s code. You owe 16% (10% city + 4% state + 2% county) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.
Full guideSatsuma
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Satsuma’s code. You owe 12% (6% city + 4% state + 2% county) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.
Full guideSemmes
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Semmes’s code. You owe 11% (5% city + 4% state + 2% county) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.
Full guideUnincorporated Mobile
We found no short-term rental permit or rules in Unincorporated Mobile’s code. You owe 6% (2% county + 4% state) in lodgings tax and likely need a city business license.
Sources
- Mobile County lodging tax: general information · Mobile County License Commission
- State lodgings tax · Alabama Department of Revenue
- Business license general information · Mobile County License Commission
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.