Dauphin Island, Alabama Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Dauphin Island Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    4.9
  • Competition

    4.6
  • Real Estate Cost

    6.4
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    2.7
  • Rental Rates

    5.7

Dauphin Island, Alabama Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
1,778
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
County
Mobile
Airports
Mobile Regional Airport (MOB)
Pensacola Regional Airport (PNS)
Review our Dauphin Island Alabama short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Dauphin Island?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Dauphin Island rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Dauphin Island rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Dauphin Island.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Dauphin Island Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Dauphin Island guests.

Interested in other Alabama cities?

Check out the Alabama Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Dauphin Island a great place to invest?

  • Stunning Beaches: Dauphin Island boasts pristine, sugar-white sandy beaches perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. Relax on West End Beach, a serene shoreline with sparkling turquoise waters, or explore the family-friendly Dauphin Island Public Beach with its gentle waves and convenient amenities.
  • Rich History: Step back in time at Fort Gaines, a key site in the historic Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. Immerse yourself in the island's fascinating past as you explore the well-preserved fort, witness live cannon firings, and attend riveting reenactments.
  • Biodiversity Hotspot: Known as the "Birdiest Coastal Community," Dauphin Island is a birdwatcher's paradise. Visit the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, a 137-acre oasis that provides crucial habitat for migrating birds, and marvel at the diverse species that call this island home.
  • Incredible Fishing: Anglers, rejoice! Dauphin Island offers world-class fishing opportunities, whether you're casting off from the shore, taking a deep-sea fishing excursion, or reeling in a catch from the Dauphin Island Fishing Pier. Expect to encounter an array of prized species, such as redfish, speckled trout, and flounder.
  • Dauphin Island Sea Lab: Explore the wonders of the Gulf of Mexico at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, a renowned marine research facility with a public aquarium. Visitors of all ages can enjoy interactive exhibits, meet captivating marine creatures, and participate in engaging educational programs.
  • Outdoor Adventure: Discover the island's natural beauty through its extensive network of walking and biking trails, or paddle through tranquil waters on a guided kayak tour. For a truly unique experience, don't miss the chance to explore the lush maritime forests of the Indian Shell Mound Park or the stunning panoramic views from the Dauphin Island Water Tower.

Dauphin Island Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Dauphin Island?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Dauphin Island has decreased -4% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $302, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$454,154

-4% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$302

-16% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,845

0% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Dauphin Island, Alabama

Word Cloud for Dauphin Island, Alabama Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Dauphin Island short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Dauphin Island has a description approximately 1,734 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 1,197 listings in Dauphin Island, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Beach, Dauphin Island, Gulf, Deck, View, Beautiful, Fort Morgan, Primary, Family, and Outdoor.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Dauphin Island?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Dauphin Island involve going to the Beach, Boating, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing, and the Marina. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Beach

Boating

Swimming

Wildlife Viewing

Marina

Eco Tourism

Surfing

Kayaking

Jet Skiing

Cycling

Snorkeling

Sailing

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Dauphin Island, including Gulf Shores Beach, Fort Morgan, Hangout Music Fest, Mobile Bay, and Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Well Known Attraction

Gulf Shores Beach

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Fort Morgan

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Hangout Music Fest

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Mobile Bay

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Fort Morgan Beach

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Gulf Shores Public Beach

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Gulf Shores Golf Club

Included on nearly all listings

Local Landmark

Waterville USA

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Gulf State Park Fishing Pier

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

Bellingrath Gardens and Home

Included on 88% of listings

What’s the weather like in Dauphin Island, Alabama?

The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 76°, while the average low is about 62°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 55 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Dauphin Island are generally muggier than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

49° Low 64° High

Precipitation
13.9"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
8.4 days
Cloudiness
45%

Spring

March through May

60° Low 75° High

Precipitation
14.1"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
34.3 days
Cloudiness
41%

Summer

June through August

75° Low 87° High

Precipitation
15.9"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
88.7 days
Cloudiness
54%

Fall

September through November

63° Low 78° High

Precipitation
11.5"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
41.9 days
Cloudiness
39%