Indiana
Brown County, Indiana short-term rental rules
Overview
This guide deliberately covers unincorporated Brown County, not the incorporated Town of Nashville. The county Planning Department requires BZA special-exception approval for short-term rentals and publishes rural separation standards. Verify the parcel and approval conditions directly: the office says zoning maps are not available online and Nashville has its own zoning ordinance.
Areas covered: Unincorporated Brown County only; Town of Nashville excluded · Last verified
Verified requirements for Brown County, Indiana
Each item below was read from the official document cited with it. Nothing here is generic guidance.
Special exception
To operate a short-term rental in Brown County, applicants must apply through Planning for a special exception and receive Board of Zoning Appeals approval.
Source: Brown County — Planning Department (opens in a new tab) · FAQ — short-term rental/tourist home/bed and breakfast · Verified
Rural separation guidance
Planning states that in the county short-term rentals should be at least 250 feet from the nearest residence and 1,320 feet from the nearest short-term rental. Obtain ordinance and parcel-level application confirmation rather than treating the FAQ as a measurement determination.
Source: Brown County — Planning Department (opens in a new tab) · FAQ — short-term rental/tourist home/bed and breakfast · Verified
Boundary and zoning check
The zoning ordinance identifies its scope as development of unincorporated Brown County. Planning separately links Nashville’s zoning ordinance and says county zoning maps are not online; call or email for zoning.
Source: Brown County — Zoning Ordinance (opens in a new tab) · Ordinance title / territorial scope · Verified
Application completeness
The checklist requires all owners’ signatures, authorization if the applicant differs, the property card, deed, legal description when different, plat and a written proposal. Incomplete applications are not docketed; complete submissions must be delivered in person by 2:30 PM on the submission deadline.
Source: Brown County — Special Exception Checklist (opens in a new tab) · Opening instructions and items 1–8 · Verified
Neighbor notification preparation
The checklist requests a list of adjacent owners within 600 feet of the proposed county site, with separate 250-foot treatment stated for Nashville and CSCD; the list is provided on docket date and must be checked for correct addresses.
Source: Brown County — Special Exception Checklist (opens in a new tab) · Item 9 · Verified
Innkeeper tax and state tax
Indiana DOR describes county innkeeper tax on accommodation rentals for less than 30 days, in addition to state sales tax. DOR requires registered trust-tax accounts to file zero returns for periods without activity.
Source: Indiana DOR — County Innkeeper’s Tax (opens in a new tab) · Introduction and zero-return requirement · Verified
State sales-tax rate
Indiana DOR lists the statewide sales-tax rate as 7%. The separate county innkeeper levy must be checked for the property and booking period.
Source: Indiana DOR — County Tax Rates: Businesses (opens in a new tab) · Introduction — state sales tax · Verified
Regulation research score
How far the short-term-rental rules we confirmed from cited official sources for Brown County, Indiana constrain an ordinary non-owner-occupied, whole-home short-term rental, expressed on a 0–100 burden scale built from 12 weighted criteria in two dimensions: market access and operating compliance. Higher means more constrained. It is not a legal conclusion, a permissiveness rating, a market rating, a measure of desirability, legality or profitability, and not investment advice.
Major eligibility or supply barriers are documented — narrow zoning, hard caps or waitlists, discretionary conditional-use approval, severe spacing, or entity limits — so entry depends on more than completing paperwork.
No severe market-access trigger is documented, so this jurisdiction is capped below the effectively-restricted band. A major access constraint is documented, which makes the high-access band available. Access sub-score 65, operating sub-score 27.
Based on 25% evidence coverage. 9 criteria are unresolved, so this is an observed floor: the plausible interval reaches 100 of 100. A low observed score here means "little confirmed", not "lightly regulated".
Market access and eligibility · 65 of 100
- Zoning eligibility, caps, density or spacingMajor access constraint · 65
BZA special-exception approval and published separation guidance constrain new county tourist-home applications.
Operating and compliance · 27 of 100
- Permit, licence, or registration22 pts
- Lodging tax or fees5 pts
Operating rules are weighted at 0.45, so compliance requirements alone cannot push a jurisdiction past Moderate / structured.
- Burden estimate
- 79 of 100 · High access constraints
- Uncertainty interval
- 61–100 of 100
- Evidence coverage
- 25% · 3 of 12 criteria resolved
- Confidence
- Low — provisional
- Last reviewed
Low confidence — provisional. Only 25% of the rubric is resolved against official sources. The observed estimate of 79 counts confirmed evidence only; unresolved criteria widen the interval upward to 100, a range that crosses more than one burden category. Treat it as indicative, not precise, and confirm directly with the jurisdiction.
This range crosses more than one burden category (High access constraints, Very high / effectively restricted). The single estimate above is indicative only — do not read it as a precise measurement of this jurisdiction's rules.
3 of 12 rubric criteria resolved against cited official sources.
Why this score
Market-access findings are graded severe, major, moderate or none from the cited official claim itself; the most severe finding scores in full and each additional finding adds a quarter of its points, so correlated restrictions are never double-counted. The operating sub-score is a weighted count out of 100 and is multiplied by 0.45, which is why routine permitting, inspection, contact, tax and enforcement rules alone cannot exceed the Moderate / structured band. An unresolved criterion is never recorded as 'not required' and never scored as zero: it enters the central estimate at a quarter of its worst case and reaches its full worst case at the top of the published interval, but it can never release the gates that open the high-access or effectively-restricted bands — those read confirmed findings only. Every result therefore ships as estimate, interval, evidence coverage and confidence together.
- Prohibition or closed entry25.00 pts (range 0–100 of 100)
Not confirmed either way. It is never recorded as "not required" and never scored as zero: it enters the estimate at 25% of its worst case and widens the upper bound by up to 100 access points. It can never on its own move this jurisdiction into a higher-access band — those gates read confirmed findings only.
- Owner-occupancy or primary residence25.00 pts (range 0–100 of 100)
Not confirmed either way. It is never recorded as "not required" and never scored as zero: it enters the estimate at 25% of its worst case and widens the upper bound by up to 100 access points. It can never on its own move this jurisdiction into a higher-access band — those gates read confirmed findings only.
- Zoning eligibility, caps, density or spacing65.00 pts (range 65–65 of 65)
Confirmed by a cited official source and graded major access constraint (65 access points). BZA special-exception approval and published separation guidance constrain new county tourist-home applications.
- Minimum or maximum stay8.75 pts (range 0–35 of 35)
Not confirmed either way. It is never recorded as "not required" and never scored as zero: it enters the estimate at 25% of its worst case and widens the upper bound by up to 35 access points. It can never on its own move this jurisdiction into a higher-access band — those gates read confirmed findings only.
- Permit, licence, or registration22.00 pts (range 22–22 of 22)
Confirmed by a cited official source, so it scores its full 22 of 100 operating points.
- Inspection or life-safety certification4.00 pts (range 0–16 of 16)
Not confirmed either way. It is never recorded as "not required" and never scored as zero: it enters the estimate at 25% of its worst case and widens the upper bound by up to 16 operating points. It can never on its own move this jurisdiction into a higher-access band — those gates read confirmed findings only.
- Occupancy and parking3.50 pts (range 0–14 of 14)
Not confirmed either way. It is never recorded as "not required" and never scored as zero: it enters the estimate at 25% of its worst case and widens the upper bound by up to 14 operating points. It can never on its own move this jurisdiction into a higher-access band — those gates read confirmed findings only.
- Enforcement and penalties3.50 pts (range 0–14 of 14)
Not confirmed either way. It is never recorded as "not required" and never scored as zero: it enters the estimate at 25% of its worst case and widens the upper bound by up to 14 operating points. It can never on its own move this jurisdiction into a higher-access band — those gates read confirmed findings only.
- Local responsible party3.00 pts (range 0–12 of 12)
Not confirmed either way. It is never recorded as "not required" and never scored as zero: it enters the estimate at 25% of its worst case and widens the upper bound by up to 12 operating points. It can never on its own move this jurisdiction into a higher-access band — those gates read confirmed findings only.
- Renewal or transfer2.50 pts (range 0–10 of 10)
Not confirmed either way. It is never recorded as "not required" and never scored as zero: it enters the estimate at 25% of its worst case and widens the upper bound by up to 10 operating points. It can never on its own move this jurisdiction into a higher-access band — those gates read confirmed findings only.
- Advertising and listing rules1.75 pts (range 0–7 of 7)
Not confirmed either way. It is never recorded as "not required" and never scored as zero: it enters the estimate at 25% of its worst case and widens the upper bound by up to 7 operating points. It can never on its own move this jurisdiction into a higher-access band — those gates read confirmed findings only.
- Lodging tax or fees5.00 pts (range 5–5 of 5)
Confirmed by a cited official source, so it scores its full 5 of 100 operating points.
What we could not confirm — and what to ask
We found no official source resolving these 9 criteria either way. They are not treated as “not required” and are not scored as zero. Confirm each one with the department listed below before you rely on it.
- Prohibition or closed entry — unknown; could add 0–100 points.
- Owner-occupancy or primary residence — unknown; could add 0–100 points.
- Minimum or maximum stay — unknown; could add 0–35 points.
- Inspection or life-safety certification — unknown; could add 0–16 points.
- Occupancy and parking — unknown; could add 0–14 points.
- Enforcement and penalties — unknown; could add 0–14 points.
- Local responsible party — unknown; could add 0–12 points.
- Renewal or transfer — unknown; could add 0–10 points.
- Advertising and listing rules — unknown; could add 0–7 points.
The rubric
- Prohibition or closed entryNot confirmed
Does an official source prohibit short-term rentals outright, close the application window, or restrict eligibility so narrowly that most properties cannot qualify?
Unknown. We have not found an official source either way. It is never recorded as “not required” and never scored as zero — it is carried through the estimate as an explicit range and should be confirmed with the jurisdiction.
- Owner-occupancy or primary residenceNot confirmed
Does an official source require the owner to occupy the property or hold it as a primary residence?
Unknown. We have not found an official source either way. It is never recorded as “not required” and never scored as zero — it is carried through the estimate as an explicit range and should be confirmed with the jurisdiction.
- Zoning eligibility, caps, density or spacingConfirmed — applies
Does an official source restrict which zones short-term rentals may operate in, or cap, space, or ration how many may exist?
- Minimum or maximum stayNot confirmed
Does an official source set a minimum night requirement or a maximum rental term?
Unknown. We have not found an official source either way. It is never recorded as “not required” and never scored as zero — it is carried through the estimate as an explicit range and should be confirmed with the jurisdiction.
- Permit, licence, or registrationConfirmed — applies
Does an official source require a permit, licence, certificate, or registration before the property is advertised?
- Inspection or life-safety certificationNot confirmed
Does an official source require an inspection, fire or building certification, or posted safety information?
Unknown. We have not found an official source either way. It is never recorded as “not required” and never scored as zero — it is carried through the estimate as an explicit range and should be confirmed with the jurisdiction.
- Occupancy and parkingNot confirmed
Does an official source set an occupancy limit or an on-site parking requirement?
Unknown. We have not found an official source either way. It is never recorded as “not required” and never scored as zero — it is carried through the estimate as an explicit range and should be confirmed with the jurisdiction.
- Enforcement and penaltiesNot confirmed
Does an official source publish penalties, suspension, revocation, or a complaint process for violations?
Unknown. We have not found an official source either way. It is never recorded as “not required” and never scored as zero — it is carried through the estimate as an explicit range and should be confirmed with the jurisdiction.
- Local responsible partyNot confirmed
Does an official source require a named local contact who must respond within a set time?
Unknown. We have not found an official source either way. It is never recorded as “not required” and never scored as zero — it is carried through the estimate as an explicit range and should be confirmed with the jurisdiction.
- Renewal or transferNot confirmed
Does an official source set a renewal cycle, or restrict transfer of the permit on sale?
Unknown. We have not found an official source either way. It is never recorded as “not required” and never scored as zero — it is carried through the estimate as an explicit range and should be confirmed with the jurisdiction.
- Advertising and listing rulesNot confirmed
Does an official source govern how the property may be advertised — for example requiring the permit number in every listing?
Unknown. We have not found an official source either way. It is never recorded as “not required” and never scored as zero — it is carried through the estimate as an explicit range and should be confirmed with the jurisdiction.
- Lodging tax or feesConfirmed — applies
Does an official source impose a lodging, excise, or permit fee obligation on the operator?
How the category is set on the 0–100 scale: 80+ reads very high / effectively restricted and requires a documented severe market-access trigger; 60–79 reads high access constraints and requires a documented major access constraint (or two moderate ones); 40–59 reads moderate / structured, which is the ceiling for jurisdictions whose confirmed rules are operating requirements only; 20–39 reads lower regulatory burden; below 20 reads minimal STR-specific burden located. A documented official-source search that resolves criteria and finds no short-term-rental-specific requirement reads “no local STR-specific regulation located in reviewed official sources” — which is not a statement that operating here is unrestricted, legal, or low-risk. Unconfirmed criteria never count as permissive. How to confirm the rest yourself.
Practical owner checklist
- Confirm the parcel lies in the stated Brown County jurisdiction, not merely its postal area; request written zoning and lawful-use confirmation.
- Request the current application, approval conditions and fee schedule before committing to a purchase or accepting bookings.
- Document approved sleeping rooms, parking, life safety and any responding-agent requirements; retain the issued approval.
- Reconcile direct and platform bookings with local finance and the state tax authority; keep collection and filing records.
- Review private covenants and any sale or ownership change with the permitting office; calendar renewal and recheck rules annually.
Who to ask in Brown County, Indiana
Department-level contact details as published on the jurisdiction’s own website. We do not publish individual staff contact information.
Brown County Planning Department
Parcel eligibility, current application and unresolved operating requirements.
Published at this official page · checked
General research checklist (not Brown County, Indiana specific)
These are the categories short-term rental owners check anywhere in the US. They are general prompts, not this jurisdiction’s ordinance.
- Private restrictions are separate
- Review recorded covenants, HOA and condominium rules, insurance and lender conditions. Municipal approval does not establish private permission; obtain written confirmation for the particular parcel.
Confirm these directly — we could not verify them
We publish gaps rather than guesses. The following were not confirmable from a current official source at our last review.
- Confirm the current adopted county zoning text: the Planning page labels a 2024 ordinance while the indexed ordinance URL includes 2022. Reconcile amendments and separation measurement/variance treatment.
- Confirm current special-exception filing fee: the older checklist quotes $125 but the office links a separate fee schedule.
- Confirm renewal, transfer/ownership-change consequences, local contact, inspections, guest capacity, septic approval and parking conditions in the parcel’s BZA approval.
- Confirm current Brown County innkeeper tax rate and collector; do not confuse a statutory maximum or legislative proposal with the adopted rate.
- Confirm whether any CSCD or other special district changes the approval path; Nashville municipal zoning is excluded from this entry.
Official sources
Government sources only. If a link has moved, go to the jurisdiction’s main site and search for short-term or vacation rentals.
Change log
- — Added official-source jurisdiction research; source conflicts and unverified parcel conditions remain explicit. No absence of evidence is treated as permission.
Already operating a rental here?
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Owner questions about Brown County, Indiana
- Does the mailing address establish which rules apply?
- No. This guide applies only to the boundaries listed above. Obtain parcel-level jurisdiction and zoning confirmation.
- Can I assume the seller’s permit transfers?
- Transferability was not established from the sources reviewed. Do not rely on the seller’s permit as authorization for the new owner; obtain a written determination for the proposed ownership change.
- What should an owner check first in Brown County, Indiana?
- To operate a short-term rental in Brown County, applicants must apply through Planning for a special exception and receive Board of Zoning Appeals approval.
Found a change in Brown County, Indiana?
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