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Devon

England · United Kingdom
Active
Last updated: 2026-07-15  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-30  ·  Region: International

At a Glance — Devon Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredNo
Tax RateCouncil tax applies. Business rates if let 140+ days/year.
Night / Day CapNo statutory day cap applies in Devon specifically. The 90-night cap is London-only (Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1973). Outside London
Minimum StayNo statutory minimum stay required in Devon or nationally for England. Market practice commonly 2–7 nights; individual operators set their own minimum
Permit Fee0
PenaltiesNo separate Devon-specific STR penalty regime. National framework: operating without required planning permission may result in enforcement action, fi
Primary Residence RequiredNo
Occupancy LimitNo specific statutory occupancy cap set at Devon county or national level. Occupancy must comply with fire risk assessment conclusions and building re
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Devon Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Devon Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Devon, England are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: No. The associated permit fees are 0.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Devon

Short-term rental operators in Devon should be aware of these tax obligations: Council tax applies. Business rates if let 140+ days/year..

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Devon

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Devon include: Primary residence requirement: No. Rental day cap: No statutory day cap applies in Devon specifically. The 90-night cap is London-only (Greater London Council (General Pow. Occupancy limit: No specific statutory occupancy cap set at Devon county or national level. Occupancy must comply with fire risk assessme. Minimum stay: No statutory minimum stay required in Devon or nationally for England. Market practice commonly 2–7 nights; individual o.

Zoning and Location Requirements in Devon

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Devon: New C5 use class for short-term lets proposed under the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order consultation (GOV.UK, 2023). Local planning authorities, including Devon district councils, may re. Density rules: No formal density cap or quota system in Devon as of July 2026. Some parish/neighbourhood plans within Devon (e.g., in South Hams) have sought to rest. Insurance: Yes. GOV.UK guidance (updated 2025) specifies that short-term lets should have appropriate insurance.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Devon

Hosts who fail to comply with Devon's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. No separate Devon-specific STR penalty regime. National framework: operating without required planning permission may result in enforcement action, fines, and enforcement notices under the Town and Co.

Platform Obligations in Devon

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Devon: Platforms (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com) operating as UK 'intermediaries' must report host earnings and property details (including Land Registry reference number) to HMRC under DAC7/Finance Act 20.

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
No
Permit Fee
0
Primary Residence Rule
No
Night / Day Cap
No statutory day cap applies in Devon specifically. The 90-night cap is London-only (Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1973). Outside London, no national day cap exists for England as of 2026. Properties must be available to let ≥140 days/year and actually let ≥70 days to qualify for business rates instead of council tax.
Occupancy Limit
No specific statutory occupancy cap set at Devon county or national level. Occupancy must comply with fire risk assessment conclusions and building regulations; limits are property-specific based on bedrooms and means of escape.
Tax Rate
Council tax applies. Business rates if let 140+ days/year.
Zoning Restrictions
New C5 use class for short-term lets proposed under the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order consultation (GOV.UK, 2023). Local planning authorities, including Devon district councils, may require planning permission for change of use from C3 residential to C5 short-term let. Devon National Park (Dartmoor) and AONBs may apply additional scrutiny. Contact relevant local authority (e.g., South Hams, Teignbridge, Exeter City Council) to confirm whether permitted development rights apply.
Minimum Stay
No statutory minimum stay required in Devon or nationally for England. Market practice commonly 2–7 nights; individual operators set their own minimums. No regulatory floor as of July 2026.
Density Rules
No formal density cap or quota system in Devon as of July 2026. Some parish/neighbourhood plans within Devon (e.g., in South Hams) have sought to restrict new holiday-let conversions in areas of high STR concentration, but these are plan-policy-level material considerations rather than hard caps. No countywide density rule exists.
Insurance Required
Yes. GOV.UK guidance (updated 2025) specifies that short-term lets should have appropriate insurance. Standard home insurance is typically insufficient; specialist holiday let insurance (covering public liability, guest injury, property damage) is strongly advised and required by most mortgage lenders and letting agencies.
Platform Obligations
Platforms (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com) operating as UK 'intermediaries' must report host earnings and property details (including Land Registry reference number) to HMRC under DAC7/Finance Act 2022 rules effective from 1 January 2024, with first reports due 31 January 2025. Once the national registration scheme launches, platforms are expected to require and display valid registration numbers on listings.
Compliance Notes
Devon has no county-wide STR licensing scheme. Individual district councils (Teignbridge, South Hams, North Devon, Torridge, East Devon, Mid Devon, West Devon, Exeter City) each apply planning law independently. South Hams (Salcombe, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge) has particularly high holiday let density and has discussed but not yet implemented specific STR Article 4 Directions. Dartmoor National Park Authority controls planning within the National Park. Properties let 140+ days/year may qualify for business rates instead of council tax. National registration scheme (pending) will apply when enacted.
Effective Date
FHL tax regime abolished 6 April 2025. C5 use class and national registration scheme: pending full commencement (expected 2026). Fire safety duties: ongoing under Fire Safety Order 2005. 100% second-home council tax premium: April 2025 onwards.
Key Notes
No county-wide rule. Check individual district council (South Hams, Teignbridge, North Devon, etc.). South Hams has highest STR density. National register pending.
Penalties
No separate Devon-specific STR penalty regime. National framework: operating without required planning permission may result in enforcement action, fines, and enforcement notices under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Failure to comply with fire safety obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 can result in unlimited fines or up to 2 years imprisonment. Council tax premium of up to 100% applies to second homes not meeting business rates criteria (from April 2025).
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Devon?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Devon with proper registration and permits. Devon has no county-wide STR licensing scheme. Individual district councils (Teignbridge, South Hams, North Devon, Torridge, East Devon, Mid Devon, West Devon, Exeter City) each apply planning law ind

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Devon?

Yes. Devon requires the following for short-term rental operation: No.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Devon?

Short-term rental hosts in Devon are subject to the following tax obligations: Council tax applies. Business rates if let 140+ days/year..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Devon?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Devon may face enforcement. No separate Devon-specific STR penalty regime. National framework: operating without required planning permission may result in enforcement action, fines, and enforcement notices under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Failure to comply with fi.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Devon?

No county-wide rule. Check individual district council (South Hams, Teignbridge, North Devon, etc.). South Hams has highest STR density. National register pending.

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