How to Register a Homestay in Karnataka (2026 Guide): Complete Step-by-Step Process for Udupi District

As a hospitality marketing consultant and homestay owner in Udupi district, one of the most common questions I get asked is:

"How do I start a homestay business?"
and more importantly,

"What is the process of registering a homestay in Karnataka?"

To help aspiring hosts, property owners, and tourism entrepreneurs, I decided to write this guide based on my own experience navigating the registration process.

India's tourism industry is growing rapidly, and the concept of "Athithi Devo Bhava" (The Guest is God) continues to inspire thousands of families to open their homes to travelers seeking authentic local experiences. While starting a homestay may seem simple on the surface, there are several layers involved behind the scenes.

Apart from setting up your property and creating a memorable guest experience, you will also need to:

• Understand the legal requirements

• Register your homestay with the concerned authorities

• Comply with tourism regulations

• Obtain necessary approvals and clearances

• Make your property visible online so travelers can discover and book it

Among all these steps, registration and compliance are often the most confusing and challenging for first-time hosts.

In this guide, I will walk you through the process step by step.

Step 1: Understand Whether Your Property Qualifies as a Homestay

Before applying for registration, it is important to understand whether your property is eligible to be registered as a homestay under Karnataka Tourism guidelines.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To operate a homestay, the property must be:

• A privately owned residential property (non-commercial)

• Occupied by the owner or the owner's family

• Used to provide guests with an authentic local living experience

The purpose of a homestay is very different from a hotel or resort. Karnataka Tourism promotes homestays to encourage cultural exchange and allow travelers to experience local traditions, food, and hospitality while staying with local families.

Who Can Apply?

You can apply for homestay registration if:

• The property is owned by you; or

• The property is owned by your parents, spouse, or children, provided appropriate authorization is given.

If the property is in your parents' name, they will need to provide authorization permitting you to operate and register the property as a homestay.

Owner Occupancy Requirement

One of the key requirements is that the owner or an immediate family member must reside in the property.

This requirement exists because a homestay is intended to provide guests with a genuine local experience rather than functioning as a commercial accommodation business.

Room and Bed Limits

Under the homestay category, you may generally offer:

• Minimum: 2 guest rooms

• Maximum: 6 guest rooms

• Maximum occupancy: 12 guest beds

Properties exceeding these limits may fall under different accommodation categories and may require different registrations and approvals.

Jointly Owned Properties

If the house or land is jointly owned by multiple individuals, the applicant must obtain a self-attested affidavit or authorization from the other owners permitting the property to be registered and operated as a homestay.

This document will be required during the registration process.

Step 2: Documents Required for Homestay Registration

Once you have confirmed that your property is eligible to be registered as a homestay, the next step is to gather all the necessary documents required by the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka.

Having these documents ready beforehand can significantly speed up the registration process and help avoid unnecessary delays.

Documents Required for Homestay Registration

1. Photograph of the Owner

A recent passport-size photograph of the property owner or applicant.

2. Relationship Proof (If Applicable)

If the applicant is the spouse or child of the property owner, a government-issued document proving the relationship must be submitted.

Examples include:

• Aadhaar Card

• Birth Certificate

• Family ID

• Other government-issued relationship documents

3. Proof of Residence of the Applicant

The applicant must provide proof that they reside at the property.

Commonly accepted documents include:

• Aadhaar Card

• Voter ID

• Driving License

• Utility Bills

Note: This stage is also a little challenging since occasionally they will ask for a residency certificate, or in Kannada, ವಾಸ الತವಯ ದೃಢೀಕⲣ ಪತ벤ⲣ, which you must apply for from your local tahsildar office. To apply for that, you must first go to the Tashildar office, present your Adhaar card, fill out an application for a residence certificate, offer a copy of your RTC, and ensure that the address on your Adhaar card and your door address match. After that is confirmed, Tashildar will provide a letter that needs to be brought to the Taluk office. After paying a modest fee, they will upload the document and ask you to receive a message on your phone once the residence certificate is given. This process takes place online and could take four to seven days.

4. Aadhaar Card of the Owner

A copy of the Aadhaar Card of the property owner is mandatory.

5. Ownership Documents

Revenue records and ownership documents proving ownership of the property.

These may include:

• RTC

• Property Tax Receipt

• Sale Deed

• Khata Documents

• Other relevant ownership records

If the property is jointly owned, a self-attested affidavit or authorization from the co-owners permitting the applicant to register and operate the homestay must also be submitted.

6. Google Maps Location

A screenshot or printout of the property's location from Google Maps or any similar mapping platform showing the exact location of the homestay.

7. Karnataka Tourism Society Membership (If Applicable)

If the property is registered with or is a member of a recognized Karnataka Tourism Society or tourism association, supporting documents may be submitted.

8. Photographs of the Property and Facilities

The Department of Tourism typically requires photographs showcasing the property's facilities and readiness to host guests.

These photographs should include:

• Front view of the building

• Guest rooms

• Guest bathrooms

• Dining area

• Kitchen

• Common areas

• Functional CCTV cameras at the entrance and reception area (where applicable)

It is advisable to use clear, high-quality photographs as these help officials assess the property's suitability during the application review process.

9. Compliance Undertaking

Applicants are required to provide an undertaking stating that they will comply with the operational requirements prescribed for homestays by Karnataka Tourism.

10. Safe & Honourable Tourism Pledge

A signed copy of the Government's "Safe & Honourable Tourism" pledge must be submitted as part of the application.

This pledge reflects the commitment of the homestay operator towards responsible tourism, guest safety, ethical business practices, and maintaining the reputation of Karnataka as a tourist destination.

Once you have all these documents, you can start the online application process. Earlier until 2025 it was done using Udupi touirsm Website, currently its getting updated and streamlined but I dont have the exact link to apply online ( 29-05-2026 ). ( This will be updated as soon as i have right information ).

Pro Tip Before You Apply

Before submitting your application, create a single digital folder containing all documents in PDF format along with photographs of the property. This will make the online application process much smoother and help you respond quickly if the Tourism Department requests any additional information.

Now that we have understood the eligibility criteria and gathered the required documents, the next step is to understand the actual registration process, inspections, Police NOC requirements, Panchayat permissions, and approvals required to legally operate a homestay in Udupi District.

Now that you have collected all the basic documents required next process is to apply for a police NOC which will be issued with Superindentt of police of that specific district. You need to first apply online for a police NOC and link to apply is https://noc.udupitourism.com/login.php . First create a account after opening the link and applying for NOC is a pretty straight forward process.

Step 3: Obtaining a Police No Objection Certificate (Police NOC)

Once you have gathered all the required documents and submitted your application, the next important step is obtaining a Police No Objection Certificate (Police NOC).

For many applicants, this is often the most time-consuming part of the entire homestay registration process.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once your application is submitted, it is forwarded to the Superintendent of Police (SP) Office. The SP Office will then notify the local police station that has jurisdiction over the area where your property is located.

In most cases, you will receive a phone call from the local police station requesting a convenient date and time to visit your property.

What is a Police Mahazar?

The police visit is commonly referred to as a Mahazar.

In simple terms, a Mahazar is an official inspection during which police officers visit your property, verify the details provided in your application, inspect the premises, and prepare an official report.

This inspection helps the authorities ensure that the property is suitable for accommodating guests and that basic safety measures are in place.

Keep Your Documents Ready

When the police visit your property, make sure all documents are readily available for verification. This helps complete the inspection smoothly and avoids unnecessary delays.

Guest Safety Requirements

From the police department's perspective, guest safety and security are of utmost importance.

During the inspection, officers may advise you to maintain a proper Guest Register containing details such as:

• Guest Name

• Address

• Mobile Number

• Identity Proof Details

• Check-in Date and Time

• Check-out Date and Time

• Number of Visitors

• Vehicle Registration Number

It is also advisable to collect and maintain copies of valid government-issued ID cards of all guests staying at the property.

CCTV Camera Requirements

One of the most important safety requirements is the installation of CCTV cameras.

While requirements may vary depending on the property, it is strongly recommended to have CCTV cameras installed at:

• Main entrance of the property

• Reception or guest registration desk (if applicable)

• Common access areas

The purpose of CCTV surveillance is to ensure guest safety and maintain records in case any security-related issues arise in the future.

However, it is equally important to respect guest privacy.

Never install CCTV cameras in private areas such as:

• Guest bedrooms

• Bathrooms

• Changing areas

• Any space where guests expect privacy

It is also good practice to inform guests that CCTV surveillance is present in designated common areas of the property.

Neighbour Consent

In many cases, the police may also seek confirmation from nearby residents that they do not have any objection to the operation of a homestay in the neighbourhood.

Typically, signatures from a few immediate neighbours may be collected as part of the verification process.

Of course, if your property is located in an isolated area with no immediate neighbours, this step may not be required.

Submission of Police Report

Once the inspection is completed, the local police station prepares its report and forwards it to the Superintendent of Police Office for further processing.

If everything is found to be satisfactory, you may be contacted by the SP Office to complete the remaining formalities.

Police NOC Fee

As part of the process, applicants are generally required to submit a Demand Draft (DD) towards the prescribed fee for issuing the Police NOC.

At the time of writing this article, the fee is approximately ₹10,000. Applicants are advised to verify the latest fee structure with the concerned authorities, as government charges may change from time to time.

Finally, You Receive Your Police NOC

Once all verifications are successfully completed and the application is approved, the Police No Objection Certificate is issued.

At this stage, you may feel that the hardest part of the process is behind you—and in many ways, it is.

However, don't celebrate just yet!

While obtaining the Police NOC is a major milestone, the registration journey is still not over. Additional approvals and clearances may still be required before your homestay becomes fully compliant and legally operational.

By now, the entire process may sound overwhelming, and honestly, it can be. Reaching this stage often requires multiple visits, follow-ups, paperwork, and a good deal of patience. But if you stay organized and persistent, you will eventually get through it.

Trust me, almost every homestay owner who has successfully completed the process has faced similar challenges along the way.

Step 4: Final Approval from Karnataka Tourism Department

Congratulations! If you have reached this stage, you are now just one step away from legally operating your dream homestay.

Submit All Documents to the Tourism Department

Once you have obtained all the required approvals and clearances, gather the complete set of documents, including:

• Police No Objection Certificate (Police NOC)

• Panchayat or Municipal NOC

• Ownership documents

• Identity and address proofs

• Property photographs

• Google Maps location

• Affidavits and undertakings

• Any other documents requested by the Department of Tourism

These documents must be submitted to the Tourism Office having jurisdiction over your district.

Tourism Department Inspection

After receiving your application and supporting documents, the Tourism Department will schedule an inspection of your property.

The purpose of this visit is to:

• Verify the information provided in your application

• Confirm ownership and occupancy details

• Inspect guest rooms and facilities

• Verify safety measures and amenities

• Ensure compliance with Karnataka Tourism Homestay Guidelines

Think of this as the final verification process before your property is officially recognized as a registered homestay.

Mandatory Tourism Signboard

Before the inspection takes place, you should install the official homestay signboard at your property.

The signboard should prominently display:

• Name of the Homestay

• Karnataka Tourism branding/logo (as prescribed)

• Registration details (where applicable)

• Any other information specified by the Tourism Department

During the inspection, officials may verify the presence and visibility of this signboard as part of the approval process.

Receiving Your Homestay Registration Certificate

Once the Tourism Department is satisfied with the inspection and all documents are found to be in order, your application will be approved.

Within a few days, you will receive your official Homestay Registration Certificate issued by the Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka.

And that's it — your homestay is now officially registered and recognized by Karnataka Tourism.

Display Your Certificate Proudly

Once you receive the certificate:

• Print and laminate it.

• Display it prominently at the entrance or reception area of your property.

• Let your guests know they are staying at a legally registered and verified homestay.

A registered homestay not only builds trust among travelers but also demonstrates your commitment to operating responsibly and in compliance with government regulations.

Final Thoughts

By now, you have probably realized that registering a homestay is not as simple as putting a few rooms online and welcoming guests.

The process involves multiple departments, document verification, inspections, follow-ups, and a considerable amount of patience. While it may seem overwhelming at first, completing the registration process gives you peace of mind and ensures that your business is operating legally.

Most importantly, it helps create a safer and more trustworthy tourism ecosystem for both hosts and travelers.

If you are passionate about hospitality and committed to providing authentic local experiences, don't let the paperwork discourage you. Take it one step at a time, stay organized, and before you know it, you'll be welcoming guests to your very own registered homestay in beautiful Udupi District.

I hope this guide helps simplify the process for aspiring homestay owners. If you have any questions or need assistance with homestay marketing, online visibility, OTA listings, or the registration process, feel free to reach out.

Wishing you all the very best on your hospitality journey. If you need professional help to get yourself started with hospitality business, look now further. Call/Whatsapp +91 9449507266 or you can email me on connect@anudeephegde.com

Athithi Devo Bhava

Along with this ill be leaving behind few important documents that might be useful for you to read.

Read latest guidelness for homestays and bread and breakfast by clicking here

Read latest guidelness for homestays and bread and breakfast by clicking here

To see list of all offical registered homestays in Karnataka , Click Here

To visit offical tourism page of Karnataka Tourism, Visit Here

To visit offical tourism page of Udupi Tourism, Visit Here

Anudeep Hegde

Seasoned Internet Marketing Specialist and Hotel Marketing Expert with over 12+ years of experience helping brands grow and succeed online.

Get in touch

connect@anudeephegde.com

+91 9449507266, +91 9731258717

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