How to get a short-term rental permit in Boston, MA (2026)
Boston requires Short-Term Rental Registration (City of Boston Inspectional Services Department) — the fee is $200, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Registration (City of Boston Inspectional Services Department) |
| Permit fee | $200 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Boston restricts short-term rentals to your primary residence, so confirm the property qualifies before applying. The STR ordinance (Boston Municipal Code ch. 9-14) applies citywide rather than by zoning district; eligibility turns on owner-occupancy and unit status, not location. Ineligible units include income-restricted/'below market rate' housing, units receiving rental assistance, units within designated 'Problem Properties,' units barred from subleasing by law or lease, and units with three or more noise/trash/disorderly-conduct violations in six months. In December 2019 the Boston Zoning Commission closed the 'executive suites' loophole, so converting apartments to non-owner-occupied short-term rental use requires Zoning Board of Appeal approval.
- 2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Registration (City of Boston Inspectional Services Department)
Submit the Short-Term Rental Registration (City of Boston Inspectional Services Department) application to Boston and pay the $200 fee. Fees are tiered by unit type: Limited Share Unit (private bedroom, owner present) $25/year; Home Share Unit (entire primary residence) $200/year; Owner-Adjacent Unit (secondary unit in owner-occupied 2-3 family building) $200/year. Lodging houses and bed & breakfasts must register but pay no fee. After ISD approval, operators must also obtain a business certificate from the City Clerk's office (separate fee) and notify all residential abutters within 300 feet within 30 days of licensure.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Boston. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Boston changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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Verified July 10, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Boston before applying.