Current permit-cap status, minimum-stay requirements, owner-occupancy rules, and jurisdiction breakdown for short-term rentals in Hot Springs. Every field is cited to a primary source below. Always verify the specific parcel with the operating jurisdiction before writing an offer.
Hot Springs caps STRs in residential zones at 400 licenses (Title 16, Chapter 10, as amended by Ord. 6435); new residential-zone licenses are unavailable as of 2025-07-01. Non-residential zones and pre-2022 condos remain uncapped.
Have a specific property in mind? Analyze it with a $99 report →The residential-zone STR market is functionally closed in Hot Springs: 400-license cap has been reached and no new applications are being accepted as of 2025-07-01. Buying an existing licensed STR does not automatically transfer the license — verify transferability at closing. For new inventory, target commercial zones (C-TR Tourist Recreation, CN, CMU, CG, CBD, IL, IH, IMU) which remain uncapped, or pre-2022 condominium projects. Ord. 6405 also requires an initial CO inspection and a Special Use Permit for any residential-zone STR, and mandates a local property manager on call 24/7 who can be on-site within 60 minutes. Max occupancy is 2 per bedroom plus 2.
Short-term rentals in Hot Springs are classified as restricted as of 2026-08-16. Hot Springs caps STRs in residential zones at 400 licenses (Title 16, Chapter 10, as amended by Ord. 6435); new residential-zone licenses are unavailable as of 2025-07-01. Non-residential zones and pre-2022 condos remain uncapped.
Yes. 400 licenses cap in residential zones (RR, RS, RN-1 through RN-6) — CLOSED to new applications as of 2025-07-01. Cap history: 700 original (Ord. 6405, 2021-12-07), reduced to 400 by Ord. 6435 (2022-08-02). Non-residential zones (C-TR, CN, CMU, CG, CBD, IL, IH, IMU) and condos recorded before 2022-01-18 are exempt.
The primary source does not specify a minimum stay for short-term rentals.
Hot Springs does not require owner-occupancy for short-term rental operators as of 2026-08-16. Verify the specific parcel with the operating jurisdiction before offering, as owner-occupancy rules interact with zoning overlays.
Contact the operating jurisdiction directly using the primary-source links published on this page. Zoning, HOA restrictions, and pending regulatory changes are parcel-specific and can override the citywide profile above. DepreciMax's $99 property report separately sizes the Year-1 §168(k) bonus depreciation deduction for a specific address, once regulatory clearance is confirmed.
Once you've verified the regulatory profile of a listing you're considering, run a $99 DepreciMax property report to size the actual Year-1 §168(k) bonus depreciation deduction. The report analyzes the listing photos to classify finishes as 5-year personal property, 15-year land improvements, or 39-year structural — producing a line-item estimate closely calibrated to a formal cost seg study.
Use the DepreciMax STR Regulations Database for the full top-50 market fleet — every market cited to a primary jurisdiction source, updated quarterly.
Not legal or tax advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently and vary by parcel, zone, and HOA. The information on this page is a summary of publicly available primary sources as of 2026-08-16. Before acting — buying, listing, or operating a short-term rental in Hot Springs — verify current rules with the operating jurisdiction and consult a local attorney and CPA.