Indianapolis, Indiana Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Indianapolis Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Short-term rentals are allowed in Indianapolis. Owners or landlords of residential rental units within the City of Indianapolis must register properties with the city.Business License Requirements
Owners or landlords of residential rental units within the City of Indianapolis must register properties with the city.Helpful Links:
- Landlord Registration Program
- Landlord Registration Fact Sheet
- Landlord Registration User Guide (Updated April 2021)
Building and Housing Standards
Indianapolis has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult the Building Standards and Procedures for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county law.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Indianapolis website for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating6.4
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Competition
4.2 -
Real Estate Cost
8.6 -
STR Regulations
8.0 -
Seasonality
4.7 -
Rental Rates
6.3
Indianapolis, Indiana Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 887,642
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Marion
- Airports
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
- James M. Cox Dayton International Airport (DAY)
Want to learn more about Indianapolis?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Indianapolis rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Indianapolis rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Indianapolis.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Indianapolis guests.
Interested in other Indiana cities?
Check out the Indiana Airbnb rules directory
What makes Indianapolis a great place to invest?
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Known as the "Racing Capital of the World," the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a must-visit destination for racing fans. Home to the iconic Indy 500, visitors can tour the track, visit the museum, and even take a ride around the famous oval.
- Children's Museum of Indianapolis - Voted the best children's museum in the world, this massive museum offers hands-on exhibits, interactive activities, and educational programs for visitors of all ages. With over 472,000 square feet of space, the museum is one of the largest in the country.
- Monument Circle - Located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, Monument Circle is a historic landmark and gathering place for locals and visitors alike. The circle features a 284-foot tall obelisk, known as the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, which offers breathtaking views of the city from the top.
- Indianapolis Zoo - This 64-acre zoo is home to more than 1,400 animals from around the world, including tigers, giraffes, and orangutans. Visitors can take a ride on the zoo's carousel, watch live animal shows, and even feed the giraffes.
- White River State Park - This 250-acre park is located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis and offers a variety of outdoor activities, including biking and walking trails, paddle boats, and a concert venue. The park is also home to the Indianapolis Zoo, the Indiana State Museum, and the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art.
- Indianapolis Cultural Trail - This eight-mile urban trail offers a unique way to explore the city, connecting downtown neighborhoods with art, cultural exhibits, and public spaces. Visitors can bike, walk, or run along the trail, stopping at public art installations and local shops and restaurants.
- Canal Walk - Located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, the Canal Walk offers a scenic stroll along a three-mile loop through the city's historic waterway. Visitors can rent paddle boats, bikes, or surreys to explore the canal, or simply relax and enjoy the view from one of the many park benches along the way.
Indianapolis Nearby Cities
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17 miles away
- Rating: 7.0
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52 miles away
- Rating: 6.8
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Indianapolis?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Indianapolis has increased 2% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $152, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$265,581
2% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$152
0% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,312
7% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Indianapolis
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Indianapolis, Indiana
Common terms for Indianapolis short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Indianapolis has a description approximately 1,524 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 3,254 listings in Indianapolis, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Downtown, Indianapolis, Lucas Oil, Place, Indy, Spacious, Comfortable, Perfect, Oil Stadium, and Feel.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Indianapolis?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Indianapolis involve going to the City Centre, Museums, the Zoo, the Health Spa, and Cycling. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Zoo
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Health Spa
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Cycling
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Outlet Shopping
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Adventure Activities
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Antiquing
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Winery Tours
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Hiking
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Paddle Boating
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Swimming
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Indianapolis, including Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis Zoo, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Indianapolis Zoo
Included on 64% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Old National Centre
Included on 64% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Circle Center Mall
Included on 64% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Indiana State Fairgrounds
Included on 64% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Butler University
Included on 64% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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White River State Park
Included on 64% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Monument Circle
Included on 64% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Included on 63% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Included on 63% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Indiana Convention Center
Included on 62% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Central Canal
Included on 62% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Included on 61% of listings
What’s the weather like in Indianapolis, Indiana?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 63°, while the average low is about 46°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 36 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 12 inches per year. The humidity levels in Indianapolis are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
25° Low 39° High
Spring
March through May
45° Low 63° High
Summer
June through August
65° Low 83° High
Fall
September through November
47° Low 65° High
Cities Near Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana, is located in Marion County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
