A short-term rental is a residential property including a single-family dwelling or a unit in a condominium, cooperative, or timeshare, that is rented wholly or partly for a fee for a period not longer than 30 consecutive days. Many people are familiar with short-term rentals because of popular hosting platforms such as AirBnB and VRBO.  

On February 6, 2024, the City Council voted to adopt Ordinance No. 1506 which instituted new regulations for short-term rentals. The regulations went into effect on February 14, 2024, after the publication of the Ordinance. The zoning and licensing regulations apply to La Vista’s city limits and extra-territorial jurisdiction. Changes were also adopted through Ordinance No. 1507 to institute a Short-Term Rental Occupation Tax to each short-term rental listing in the City of La Vista, which is equal to 5% of gross receipts from room or property rentals.

Each short-term rental shall be licensed under the Rental Inspection Program through the Community Development Department.  The City Clerk's Office handles the collection of the Short-Term Rental Occupation Tax. Owners of short-term rentals shall submit this Occupation Tax Form monthly, along with tax payments for that month. This remittance can be submitted online at this link. 

Summary of Zoning and Licensing Regulations

• Short-term rentals are allowed in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and MU-CC zoning districts, provided all of the following conditions are satisfied.
• Each short-term rental shall constitute a rental dwelling under the La Vista Rental Inspection Program set forth in Sections 150.60 through 150.69 of the La Vista Municipal Code, as amended from time to time, and shall satisfy all applicable requirements of the Rental Inspection Program, including without limitation the necessity of obtaining and maintaining in effect a rental license for such short-term rental.
• Each short-term rental shall provide at least one off-street parking space per sleeping area. A sleeping area is defined as any habitable room or other space that is physically separate from any other room or space and contains at least one operable egress window or door opening to the outside for emergency escape or rescue (but may not include hallways, kitchens, or bathrooms). If a short-term rental does not have sufficient off-street parking to satisfy the requirement of this subsection, the number of sleeping areas that a short-term shall be permitted to use will be reduced as necessary to satisfy such off-street parking requirements. The number of sleeping areas determined in accordance with this subsection shall constitute the total number of permitted sleeping areas of a short-term rental.
• The maximum number of persons who may occupy a short-term rental shall be calculated as the total number of permitted sleeping areas of the short-term rental, multiplied by two; provided, however, the maximum number of persons who may occupy a short-term rental shall not exceed 12 persons. Occupancy of a short-term rental pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to any more restrictive limits under any fire or other codes or requirements.
• Not more than 10% of the total dwelling units of any multiple-family dwelling shall be licensed under the La Vista Rental Inspection Program for use as short-term rentals. Provided, however, at least one dwelling unit of a multiple-family dwelling on a premises in any such district that satisfies all applicable requirements of the La Vista Rental Inspection Program shall be eligible for a rental license for use as a short-term rental.
• No signs are permitted for short-term rentals in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and MU-CC zoning districts.
• Owners of short-term rentals (or operators, listing companies, brokers, agents, or others acting on behalf of short-term rental owners) must timely pay and submit all assessments, taxes, fees, reports, and information required by the City from time to time, including without limitation all City sales, property and occupation taxes and supporting documentation.

Questions?

• Licensing: Community Development Department at (402) 593-6400
• Zoning: Community Development Department at (402) 593-6400
• Taxes: City Clerk's Office at (402) 331-4343