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Custer

South Dakota · United States
Restricted
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Custer Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusRestricted — rules apply
Permit / License RequiredYes
Tax RateSouth Dakota state sales tax 4.5% + 1.5% municipal gross receipts tax + applicable local tourism taxes; SD Dept. of Revenue registration required
Permit FeeState: SD Dept. of Revenue sales tax license (free to register); SD Dept. of Health lodging license required. Local city business license/permit fees:
PenaltiesNot confirmed in available official sources; violations likely subject to city code enforcement and potential loss of any business license
Occupancy LimitNot specified in available sources
Browse all 5 STR regulations in South Dakota → Browse all 535 STR regulations in United States →

Custer Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Custer Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rentals in Custer, South Dakota are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are State: SD Dept. of Revenue sales tax license (free to register); SD Dept. of Health lodging license .

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Custer

Short-term rental operators in Custer should be aware of these tax obligations: South Dakota state sales tax 4.5% + 1.5% municipal gross receipts tax + applicable local tourism taxes; SD Dept. of Revenue registration required.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Custer

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Custer include: Occupancy limit: Not specified in available sources.

Zoning and Location Requirements in Custer

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Custer: New STRs are BANNED in areas zoned residential. Custer has passed an ordinance prohibiting new short-term rentals in residential zoning districts. Existing (grandfathered) STRs operating before the or. Density rules: Implicit density control via residential zone ban on new STRs.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Custer

Hosts who fail to comply with Custer's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Not confirmed in available official sources; violations likely subject to city code enforcement and potential loss of any business license.

Platform Obligations in Custer

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Custer: Not specified at city level; state sales tax and lodging tax obligations apply.

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Restricted
License / Registration
Yes
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
State: SD Dept. of Revenue sales tax license (free to register); SD Dept. of Health lodging license required. Local city business license/permit fees: Unknown — no official Custer city STR fee schedule found in this search; contact Custer City offices directly.
Occupancy Limit
Not specified in available sources
Tax Rate
South Dakota state sales tax 4.5% + 1.5% municipal gross receipts tax + applicable local tourism taxes; SD Dept. of Revenue registration required
Zoning Restrictions
New STRs are BANNED in areas zoned residential. Custer has passed an ordinance prohibiting new short-term rentals in residential zoning districts. Existing (grandfathered) STRs operating before the ordinance was enacted may continue to operate. STRs in commercial zones may be permitted — verify with Custer city planning.
Density Rules
Implicit density control via residential zone ban on new STRs
Platform Obligations
Not specified at city level; state sales tax and lodging tax obligations apply
Compliance Notes
Custer has enacted an ordinance banning new short-term rentals in residentially zoned areas, similar to neighboring Deadwood and Hill City. Existing STRs may be grandfathered. All SD STR operators must obtain: (1) SD Dept. of Revenue Sales Tax License; (2) SD Dept. of Health Lodging License. Additional local city business licensing requirements likely apply — contact Custer City Hall for current requirements. The SD Dept. of Health lodging license ensures compliance with health and safety standards.
Effective Date
Exact effective date of Custer's residential zone ban not confirmed in official documents; reported by multiple sources as enacted/in force by early 2024
Key Notes
Custer is located near Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse Memorial — high-tourism area. The residential STR ban reflects a broader Black Hills region trend of communities prioritizing residential housing stock over STR expansion. SD HB 1149 (2024), which would have prohibited such local bans, failed to pass the state legislature. Operators must verify current ordinance status directly with the City of Custer, as regulations may evolve.
Penalties
Not confirmed in available official sources; violations likely subject to city code enforcement and potential loss of any business license
Additional Context
South Dakota does not issue a statewide STR license — regulation is municipal. The state requires all STR operators to hold a SD Dept. of Revenue Sales Tax License and a SD Dept. of Health Lodging License as baseline requirements regardless of municipality. Custer's ordinance targets new STRs in residential zones; commercial-zone STRs may still be viable. Grandfathered STRs should confirm their status with the city.
Sources
Unknown — No official Custer, SD city STR ordinance page was found in this search. Reported by multiple regional news outlets and South Dakota News Watch: https://www.sdnewswatch.org/south-dakota-short-term-rentals-airbnb-vrbo-hill-city/
https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/short-term-rental-regulation-s…
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Custer?

Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Custer but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Custer has enacted an ordinance banning new short-term rentals in residentially zoned areas, similar to neighboring Deadwood and Hill City. Existing STRs may be grandfathered. All SD STR operators mus

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Custer?

Yes. Custer requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Custer?

Short-term rental hosts in Custer are subject to the following tax obligations: South Dakota state sales tax 4.5% + 1.5% municipal gross receipts tax + applicable local tourism taxes; SD Dept. of Revenue registration required.

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Custer?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Custer may face enforcement. Not confirmed in available official sources; violations likely subject to city code enforcement and potential loss of any business license.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Custer?

Custer is located near Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and Crazy Horse Memorial — high-tourism area. The residential STR ban reflects a broader Black Hills region trend of communities prioritizing residential housing stock over STR expansion. SD HB 1149 (2024), which would have prohibited such local bans, failed to pass the state legislature. Operators must verify current ordinance status direc

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