Ranked and compared — find the right service for your budget and timeline
Getting a short-term rental permit involves navigating local, state, and sometimes federal requirements. A good filing service saves you time and helps you avoid costly mistakes. We evaluated five leading services on pricing, turnaround, customer support, and suitability for small businesses.
| Rank | Provider | Pricing | Turnaround | Support | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rocket LawyerTOP PICK | Free with membership ($39.99/mo) | 1–3 weeks | Phone, email, chat | 4/5 |
| #2 | LegalZoomRUNNER-UP | Starting at $0 + state fees | 2–4 weeks | Phone, email, chat | 4.2/5 |
| #3 | IncfileBUDGET | $0 + state fees | 1–3 weeks | Phone, email | 4.3/5 |
| #4 | Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fees | 1–2 weeks | Phone, email | 4.5/5 |
| #5 | Bizee (formerly Incfile)BUDGET | $0 + state fees | 2–3 weeks | Phone, email, chat | 4.1/5 |
The license itself costs $75–$1500 depending on your location. Filing services charge on top of this. Here's how the total stacks up:
Subscription-based legal services with on-call attorney access
Full-service legal document preparation with attorney review options
Budget-friendly business formation with free registered agent for one year
Privacy-focused registered agent services with excellent customer support
All-in-one business formation with compliance tracking and annual report filing
Zoning permits vary dramatically by municipality. Rocket Lawyer helps streamline the short-term rental permit process with their compliance tools. For contested zoning applications, Rocket Lawyer's attorney access can be invaluable at hearings.
Typical license cost: $75–$1500 · Processing: 2-8 weeks · Renewal: Annual
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Rocket Lawyer is our top pick for short-term rental permit based on comprehensive legal support and attorney review. LegalZoom is a strong runner-up.
The license itself runs $75–$1500. Add service fees of $0–$40 depending on provider. Total out-of-pocket: roughly $75–$1700 including all fees.
Processing is typically 2-8 weeks. Filing services handle the paperwork portion in 1–3 weeks. Expedited processing is available from most providers for an additional fee.
Most applications are straightforward and don't require an attorney. However, for complex situations — multiple locations, regulated industries, or contested zoning — legal review is recommended. LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer both include attorney access.