Short-Term Rentals in Boston, MA (2026)

Boston ISD Short-Term Rentals — Host Responsibilities

You must include the active registration number issued by Inspectional Services on any listing offering a unit as a short-term rental. After Inspectional Services has reviewed your application and you have paid for your registration, you must get a business certificate through the City Clerk's office. You must renew your short-term rental license each year. Licenses do not transfer with the sal...

Boston ISD Short-Term Rentals — Excessive Noise Compliance Requirement

The unit must not be the subject of three or more violations — within a six-month period, starting January 1, 2019 — of any City ordinance or state law relating to: the Short-term Rental ordinance itself; excessive noise; improper disposal of trash, or disorderly conduct or other similar conduct (this includes violations of the state Sanitary, Building and Fire Code). There also can't be any ou...

MGL c.64G § 14 — Regulation of operators by cities or towns

Section 14. A city or town, by ordinance or by-law, may regulate operators registered pursuant to section 67 of chapter 62C and impose penalties for the violation of such an ordinance or by-law. A city or town, by ordinance or by-law, may: (i) regulate the existence or location of operators under this section within the city or town, including regulating the class of operators and number of loc...

Boston ISD Short-Term Rentals — Unit Types and Fees

Short-term rentals in Boston need to register with the City of Boston. [...] There are three types of short-term rental units that may be offered up to 365 days per year: Home share unit; Limited share unit; Owner - adjacent unit. [...] LIMITED SHARE UNITS — Limited Share Units have a private bedroom in an owner-operator's primary residence. One bedroom must be reserved for the operators use. T...

Boston ISD Short-Term Rentals — Eligibility Criteria: Owner-Occupied / Primary Residence

Boston's Short-Term Rental (STR) program allows the renting of residential units for less than twenty-eight (28) days for a fee. Residential units offered as short term rentals are only allowed in owner-occupied condominiums, single-family, two-family, and three-family buildings. For two-family and three-family buildings, the owner-occupant must own all the units. [...] Primary residence of Own...

Boston ISD Short-Term Rentals — Three-Violation / Problem Property Eligibility Rule

Be in compliance with related Housing laws and codes — The unit must not be the subject of three or more violations — within a six-month period, starting January 1, 2019 — of any City ordinance or state law relating to: the Short-term Rental ordinance itself; excessive noise; improper disposal of trash, or disorderly conduct or other similar conduct (this includes violations of the state Sanita...