South Bend, Indiana Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
South Bend 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 South Bend. Short-term rental means the rental of a single-family home, a dwelling unit in a single-family home, a dwelling unit in a two-family or multifamily dwelling, or a dwelling unit in a condominium, cooperative, or timeshare for terms of less than thirty (30) days at a time through a short term rental platform. The term includes a detached accessory structure, including a guest house or other living quarters intended for human habitation, if the entire property is designated for single-family residential use. The term does not include property that is used for any non-residential use.Business License Requirements
Everyone who owns residential and/or multi-unit rental properties in the city of south bend, which they do not personally occupy, must register their rental properties with Neighborhood Services & Enforcement. Apply for a Landlord Registration here.Visit the Landlord Registration page and view the Ordinance for more information.
Building and Housing Standards
The Rental Safety Verification Program promotes the health and safety of rental homes in the City by requiring rental properties to meet minimum building maintenance standards. Upon the successful completion of the inspection, a Certificate of Rental Safety will be distributed. A rental with a Certificate of Rental Safety complies with minimum housing standards.Resources:
- Rental Safety Verification Program (RSVP)
- 10644-19 New Article 14 to Chapter 6 of the South Bend Municipal Code: Rental Safety Verification Program
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 South Bend website for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating6.8
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Competition
4.7 -
Real Estate Cost
9.2 -
STR Regulations
8.0 -
Seasonality
4.2 -
Rental Rates
8.0
South Bend, 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
- 103,453
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- St. Joseph
- Airports
- South Bend Regional Airport (SBN)
- Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA)
Want to learn more about South Bend?
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 South Bend rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the South Bend rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in South Bend.
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 South Bend guests.
Interested in other Indiana cities?
Check out the Indiana Airbnb rules directory
What makes South Bend a great place to invest?
- University of Notre Dame - This world-renowned Catholic university is home to iconic landmarks such as the Golden Dome, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Visitors can take a campus tour, attend a football game at Notre Dame Stadium, or explore the university's art and history museums.
- Potawatomi Zoo - This family-friendly zoo features over 500 animals from around the world, including tigers, lions, bears, and primates. The zoo also offers educational programs and special events throughout the year.
- East Race Waterway - Located in the heart of downtown South Bend, this whitewater rafting course is the only one of its kind in Indiana. Visitors can take guided rafting tours, kayak rentals, and even learn to paddleboard.
- Notre Dame Stadium Tour - Sports fans will enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at one of the most iconic football stadiums in the country. Visitors can see the locker rooms, tunnel, and press box, and even step onto the field where legends like Knute Rockne and Joe Montana have played.
- South Bend River Lights - This stunning light display illuminates the St. Joseph River and the downtown skyline every night. Visitors can walk along the riverwalk and enjoy the vibrant colors and patterns, or take a guided boat tour for a unique perspective.
- Indiana Dunes National Park - Just a short drive from South Bend, this natural park boasts over 15,000 acres of sand dunes, beaches, and forests. Visitors can hike, swim, camp, and explore the park's diverse ecosystem, which includes over 350 species of birds.
South Bend Nearby Cities
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72 miles away
- Rating: 7.2
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73 miles away
- Rating: 5.2
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in South Bend?
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 South Bend has decreased -4% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $134, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$217,250
-4% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$134
-1% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,502
1% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for South Bend
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for South Bend, Indiana
Common terms for South Bend 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 South Bend has a description approximately 1,053 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 1,329 listings in South Bend, 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 Notre Dame, South Bend, Game, Family, Perfect, Place, Comfortable, Campus, Backyard, and Mile.
What are the most popular tourist activities in South Bend?
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 South Bend involve going to the Zoo, Adventure Activities, Museums, Casinos, and Outlet Shopping. 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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Zoo
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Adventure Activities
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Museums
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Casinos
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Outlet Shopping
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Cycling
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Ice Skating
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Antiquing
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Kayaking
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Health Spa
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City Centre
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Hiking
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in South Bend, including University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, Four Winds Casino South Bend, Century Center Convention Center, and St. Mary's College. 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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University of Notre Dame
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Notre Dame Stadium
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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St. Mary's College
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Studebaker National Museum
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Century Center Convention Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Four Winds Casino South Bend
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Morris Performing Arts Center
Included on most listings
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Regional Landmark
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University Park Mall
Included on most listings
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Local Landmark
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Red Bud Track-N-Trail
Included on 0% of listings
What’s the weather like in South Bend, Indiana?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 58°, while the average low is about 42°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 30 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 17 inches per year. The humidity levels in South Bend are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
22° Low 35° High
Spring
March through May
40° Low 58° High
Summer
June through August
61° Low 79° High
Fall
September through November
44° Low 61° High
Cities Near South Bend
South Bend, Indiana, is located in St. Joseph County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
