Dauphin Island Short-Term Rental Rules: What Is in Force and What Is Proposed
See Dauphin Island's posted STR districts, license caps, minimum stays and application rules. Track the 2026 moratorium and proposed Ordinance 105-A with dated town records.
Verification Status
VERIFIED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
Later council action may not yet appear in the online records reviewed. This page reflects posted Ordinance 105, rental instructions, available 2026 council records through September 1, and the circulated 105-A draft.
Can I Airbnb My House on Dauphin Island?
It depends on three things: whether your property is within one of the town's posted Short-Term Rental Overlay Districts (STROD1, STROD2, or STROD3), whether you obtain an annual rental license, and whether you meet all Planning Commission and safety inspection requirements. Properties outside these districts are not permitted to operate as short-term rentals. New STR licenses are also subject to the 2026 moratorium — see below for its verified status.
You must confirm your property's district status on the official town map before applying. This page cannot tell you whether a specific address qualifies.
What This Page Cannot Determine for Your Address
- •Whether a specific address is within a STROD (requires checking the official town map)
- •Whether a specific property currently holds an active STR license
- •Whether a specific property qualifies for a new STR license
- •Whether the 2026 moratorium is currently active as of today (see moratorium status below)
For address-specific questions, contact the Town of Dauphin Island Planning Department at (251) 861-5525.
Current Posted Ordinance 105: STR Districts & Rules
The Town of Dauphin Island currently posts three Short-Term Rental Overlay Districts (STRODs) under Ordinance 105. Short-term rentals are only permitted within these districts. The table below reflects what is posted on the town's Rental Licenses page.
| District | Minimum Stay | License Cap | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| STROD1 — East End Residential | 3 consecutive nights | Not posted in current ordinance text | POSTED |
| STROD2 — Cadillac Avenue Area | 3 consecutive nights | Not posted in current ordinance text | POSTED |
| STROD3 — West End | 2 consecutive nights | Not posted in current ordinance text | POSTED |
Minimum stay: 3 consecutive nights
License cap: Not posted in current ordinance text
Ordinance 105 does not post a license cap for this district. Any cap numbers in the ordinance text are examples, not current license availability.
Minimum stay: 3 consecutive nights
License cap: Not posted in current ordinance text
Ordinance 105 does not post a license cap for this district. Any cap numbers in the ordinance text are examples, not current license availability.
Minimum stay: 2 consecutive nights
License cap: Not posted in current ordinance text
Ordinance 105 does not post a license cap for this district. Any cap numbers in the ordinance text are examples, not current license availability.
Source: Town of Dauphin Island — Rental Licenses. License cap numbers in the ordinance text are examples, not current license availability.
Application & Planning Commission Requirements
All new short-term rental properties must go before the Dauphin Island Planning Commission for approval before a license is issued.
Posted on the Town Rental Licenses page.
Verified: 2026-09-28
Beginning with the 2026 renewal year, all rental properties must undergo a safety inspection once every three years by a qualified professional.
Posted on the Town Rental Licenses page.
Verified: 2026-09-28
License Application Process
Property owners must submit an application through the town's online portal, including a deed or property tax statement, floor plan, parking plan, and signed agreements. All new rentals go before the Planning Commission for approval before a license is issued.
View rental license requirements →2026 STR Moratorium Status
The Town Council approved a 60-day extension of the short-term rental moratorium on July 7, 2026.
Last verified moratorium action. The September 28, 2026 status of the moratorium could not be established from the online records examined.
Verified: 2026-09-28
Whether the 2026 moratorium remains active as of September 28, 2026.
The last verified action was the July 7 approval of a 60-day extension. Its current status could not be established from the online records examined. The moratorium is not an island-wide ban on existing licensed rentals.
Verified: 2026-09-28
Ordinance 105-A: Proposed Changes
PROPOSED — ADOPTION NOT VERIFIED
Ordinance 105-A is a proposed amendment. It is not current law. The provisions below — including STROD4 and STROD5 — do not exist unless and until 105-A is adopted. The first reading was verified on September 1, 2026. Later adoption was not established in the online records examined.
Ordinance 105-A received its first reading at a Town Council meeting on September 1, 2026.
First reading verified in available 2026 council records. Later adoption was not established in the online records examined.
Verified: 2026-09-28
Ordinance 105-A proposes to expand the STROD system from three to five districts (adding STROD4 and STROD5) and introduce license caps for certain districts.
ADOPTION NOT VERIFIED. This is a proposed ordinance, not current law. STROD4 and STROD5 do not exist unless 105-A is adopted.
Verified: 2026-09-28
Proposed Districts Under 105-A
PROPOSED — ADOPTION NOT VERIFIED
The following districts and caps are provisions of proposed Ordinance 105-A. They are not current law. STROD4 and STROD5 do not exist unless 105-A is adopted.
| Proposed District | Proposed Min Stay | Proposed Cap | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| STROD1 — East End Residential | 3 consecutive nights | Cap proposed in 105-A draft | PROPOSED |
| STROD2 — Cadillac Avenue Area | 3 consecutive nights | Cap proposed in 105-A draft | PROPOSED |
| STROD3 — West End | 2 consecutive nights | No cap proposed | PROPOSED |
| STROD4 — DeSoto Landing (NEW)NEW | 3 consecutive nights | Cap proposed in 105-A draft | PROPOSED |
| STROD5 — Audubon Place (NEW)NEW | 3 consecutive nights | Cap proposed in 105-A draft | PROPOSED |
Proposed min stay: 3 consecutive nights
Proposed cap: Cap proposed in 105-A draft
PROPOSED provision of Ordinance 105-A. Adoption not verified. Not current law.
Proposed min stay: 3 consecutive nights
Proposed cap: Cap proposed in 105-A draft
PROPOSED provision of Ordinance 105-A. Adoption not verified. Not current law.
Proposed min stay: 2 consecutive nights
Proposed cap: No cap proposed
PROPOSED provision of Ordinance 105-A. Adoption not verified. Not current law.
Proposed min stay: 3 consecutive nights
Proposed cap: Cap proposed in 105-A draft
PROPOSED NEW district in Ordinance 105-A. Does not exist unless 105-A is adopted. Not current law.
Proposed min stay: 3 consecutive nights
Proposed cap: Cap proposed in 105-A draft
PROPOSED NEW district in Ordinance 105-A. Does not exist unless 105-A is adopted. Not current law.
Source: DI Chamber of Commerce — Ordinance 105-A Overview. Proposed provisions, not current law.
Current Ordinance 105 vs. Proposed Ordinance 105-A
Current: Ordinance 105
- 3 STRODs (STROD1, STROD2, STROD3)
- Minimum stays: 2–3 nights depending on district
- Annual rental license required
- Planning Commission approval for new STRs
- Safety inspection every 3 years (starting 2026)
- License caps: not posted in current ordinance text
Proposed: Ordinance 105-A
- 5 STRODs (adds STROD4 — DeSoto Landing, STROD5 — Audubon Place)
- Minimum stays: 2–3 nights depending on district
- License caps proposed for certain districts
- STROD4 and STROD5 do not exist unless adopted
- First reading: September 1, 2026
- Adoption: NOT VERIFIED
Official STR District Maps
Current District Maps (Ordinance 105)
The Town of Dauphin Island posts official district maps on its Rental Licenses page. These maps show the boundaries of STROD1, STROD2, and STROD3. Always confirm your property's district on the official map before applying.
View official maps on town website →PROPOSED — ADOPTION NOT VERIFIED
Any maps showing proposed STROD4 or STROD5 boundaries are proposals under Ordinance 105-A. They are not current district boundaries. STROD4 and STROD5 do not exist unless 105-A is adopted.
2026 Hearings, Readings & Votes Timeline
Town Council approved a 60-day extension of the STR moratorium.
Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce published an overview of proposed Ordinance 105-A updates.
Ordinance 105-A received its first reading at a Town Council meeting.
This page verified through this date. Later 105-A readings, votes, or adoption actions were not established in the online records examined.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Airbnb my house on Dauphin Island?
It depends on whether your property is within one of the town’s posted Short-Term Rental Overlay Districts (STROD1, STROD2, or STROD3), whether you obtain an annual rental license, and whether you meet all Planning Commission and safety inspection requirements. Properties outside these districts are not permitted to operate as short-term rentals. You must confirm your property’s district status on the official town map before applying.
What is the Dauphin Island STR moratorium?
The Town Council approved a 60-day extension of the short-term rental moratorium on July 7, 2026. The last verified action was that July 7 extension. The September 28, 2026 status of the moratorium could not be established from the online records examined. The moratorium is not an island-wide ban on existing licensed rentals — it affects the issuance of new STR licenses, not existing licensed operations.
What is Dauphin Island Ordinance 105-A?
Ordinance 105-A is a proposed amendment that would expand the STROD system from three to five districts by adding STROD4 (DeSoto Landing) and STROD5 (Audubon Place) and introduce license caps for certain districts. It received its first reading on September 1, 2026. Its adoption has not been verified — 105-A is a proposed ordinance, not current law. STROD4 and STROD5 do not exist unless 105-A is adopted.
Is there a Dauphin Island short-term rental zoning map?
The Town of Dauphin Island posts official district maps on its Rental Licenses page. These maps show the boundaries of the current STROD1, STROD2, and STROD3 districts. Any maps showing proposed STROD4 or STROD5 boundaries are proposals under Ordinance 105-A and must be labeled as proposed — adoption not verified.
What are STROD1, STROD2, and STROD3 on Dauphin Island?
STROD1 (East End Residential), STROD2 (Cadillac Avenue Area), and STROD3 (West End) are the three Short-Term Rental Overlay Districts established by the current posted Ordinance 105. STROD1 and STROD2 require a minimum stay of 3 consecutive nights; STROD3 requires a minimum of 2 consecutive nights. These are the only districts where short-term rentals are currently permitted.
Are new short-term rentals allowed on Dauphin Island?
New STR licenses are subject to Planning Commission approval and the 2026 moratorium. The last verified moratorium action was the July 7, 2026 approval of a 60-day extension. Whether new licenses are currently being issued could not be established from the online records examined as of September 28, 2026. Contact the Town of Dauphin Island Planning Department for current status.
What is the minimum stay for an Airbnb on Dauphin Island?
Under the current posted Ordinance 105, the minimum stay is 3 consecutive nights in STROD1 and STROD2, and 2 consecutive nights in STROD3. Proposed Ordinance 105-A would maintain these minimums for existing districts and add a 3-night minimum for the proposed STROD4 and STROD5.
Primary-Source Document Register
Town of Dauphin Island — Rental Licenses
Official posting of STR license requirements, fees, inspection rules, and Planning Commission approval process.
Town of Dauphin Island — Mayor & Town Council
Council meeting agendas, minutes, and records used to verify the July 7 moratorium extension and September 1 first reading of Ordinance 105-A.
Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce — Ordinance 105-A Overview
Overview of the proposed 105-A updates, including the addition of STROD4 and STROD5 and proposed license caps.
Town of Dauphin Island — Building Department
Building codes, dune protection overlay district, and construction permit requirements.
Methodology & Source Notes
This page was compiled from publicly available online records posted by the Town of Dauphin Island and the Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce. Each claim is tagged with a status indicating whether it is posted/adopted text, a verified council action, a proposal, or unresolved.
Verified through September 28, 2026. Later council action — including any second reading, public hearing, or adoption vote on Ordinance 105-A, and any extension or expiration of the moratorium — may not yet appear in the online records reviewed.
License cap numbers that appear in the text of Ordinance 105 are examples within the ordinance text, not current license availability. This page does not present those example numbers as current inventory.
This page does not provide address-specific eligibility determinations. To confirm whether a specific property qualifies for an STR license, contact the Town of Dauphin Island Planning Department.
Update Log
Reviewed posted Ordinance 105, rental instructions, available 2026 council records through September 1, and the circulated 105-A draft. First reading verified; later 105-A action and current moratorium status not established online.
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