All property owners that engage in the rental of their property in the town’s corporate limits are required to complete and submit a rental business license application.

Dear Rental Property Owner/Manager,

The Town of Dauphin Island has recently taken steps and introduced new programs to better manage Short & Long-Term Rentals within our community.
First, the town now requires an annual Business License for each rental property
whether managed by owner or agent. The 2023 license fee is $135 (for annual gross
receipts under $50,000) and must be in place prior to July 25, 2023 to avoid any late fees and penalties.
Second, the town has recently modified the Rental Safety Inspection Program to allow owners/agents the ability to contract with qualified individuals and/or companies to perform such work. Inspections are required once every three (3) years beginning January 1, 2023 and a copy of the completed safety checklist must be provided to town hall.
As our barrier island community continues to grow in population and popularity, these and other programs should serve to encourage an improved quality of life for property owners, residents, and visitors alike. Please visit the town
website https://www.townofdauphinisland.org/rentallicenses or contact our office at 251-861-5525 x 222 for additional information. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter.

Best regards,

Jeff Collier
Mayor

Rental Licenses

Be aware that business licenses expire December 31st. Renewals are due January 1st and are delinquent after January 31st.

If this is a renewal, please call 251-861-5525 x 222 or email jmclester@townofdauphinisland.org and a renewal form will be emailed to you.

Online Application Process

For an easy, step-by-step business license application process visit our Town of Dauphin Island portal. (https://www4.citizenserve.com/dauphinisland)
Find the Rental License Application in the Licensing section of the portal.
Fill out the online application and attach all required documents.
Review/Approval process starts once completed application is received.

Approval Process

All new rentals are required to get approval from the Planning Commission.
After completing the online process, please upload the following forms to your application;

1. Application for review

2. Deed or property tax statement.

3. If you are a property management company, a copy of the agreement between you and the property owner(s) is needed along with a letter authorizing you to act as their agent.

Planning Commission schedule and deadlines:

Planning Commission Meetings and Deadlines

Fees:

Rental/Lease-Private House, Cottage, Apartment, Duplex, Condominium, Mobile Home Park

a) Less than $50,000 per year gross..........................................................$125.00

b) $50,000 to $150,000 per year gross……………….……….…………………..…. $150.00

c) Over $150,000 per year gross……………………………………..…………..…..…$225.00

(plus a $10 issuance fee)

Safety Inspections

The Town of Dauphin Island requires Safety Inspections for all Short & Long-Term
Rental Properties be performed once every three (3) years beginning January 1, 2023. Property owners are responsible for ensuring inspections are completed by a qualified agent. A copy of the executed Safety Inspection Checklist must be submitted to the Building Inspection Department upon completion for our records. In addition, the following safety information must be posted in a highly visible location within each Short & Long-Term Rental;

The following information must be posted inside every rental property:

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, DIAL 911
The name, telephone number and email address of the local owner/agent contact;
The maximum occupancy of the unit;
The maximum number of vehicles that may be parked at the unit;
Local Fire and Police phone numbers
The Dauphin Island “Good Neighbor Policy”
Trash collection times and return of empty cans
Rip Current Information

NOTE: Property managers’ name and contact number posted visibly on the exterior front of the property.

Our goal is to insure all rental properties on Dauphin Island are in good, safe, and sanitary condition, and do not create a nuisance for the neighborhood, while aiding in the enforcement of property maintenance codes, building safety codes, Zoning Ordinances, and other relevant regulations.