Primary-Residence-Only Rule
Burlington restricts most short-term rentals to a host's primary residence, banning investor-owned dedicated STRs in most residential zones to protect long-term rental supply during a severe housing shortage.
Short-Term Rentals in Burlington, VT (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Burlington, Vermont, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Burlington requires every short-term rental host to register annually with the Department of Permitting and Inspections under CDO Sec. 5.4.5, providing host contact, parcel ID, and proof of compliance with zoning use category.
STR Registration Required
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Rules
Burlington short-term rental hosts must comply with citywide noise rules in Burlington Code of Ordinances Chapter 21, Section 21-13. Quiet hours run 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., when noise that is plainly audible between dwellings is presumed unreasonable. Hosts are required by Chapter 18 to post a notice in the unit informing guests of noise, parking, and trash limits.
Short-Term Rental Noise Rules in Burlington
Heavy RestrictionsBurlington Code of Ordinances Sec. 21-13
The City noise ordinance applies 24 hours a day. Here is a link to the complete ordinance, Sec. 21-13 of the Code of Ordinances. Special "quiet hours" for the community are from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. The noise ordinance is enforced by the Burlington Police Department, who can be reached at (802)658-2704 if you have questions or need assistance. Unreasonable noise is prohibited. Noise is unreason...
Taxes & Fees
Burlington STR hosts must collect Vermont's 9% Rooms tax plus the city's 1% local option rooms tax on every booking, in addition to paying annual STR registration fees set by the Permitting Department.
Rooms and Meals Tax Plus Local
Some Restrictions32 V.S.A. § 9241
§ 9241. Imposition of tax (a) An operator shall collect a tax of nine percent of the rent of each occupancy. (b) An operator shall collect a tax on the sale of each taxable meal at the rate of nine percent of each full dollar of the total charge and on each sale for less than one dollar and on each part of a dollar in excess of a full dollar in accordance with the following formula: $0.01-0.11 ...
Parking Rules
Burlington's short-term rental ordinance (Chapter 18, adopted 2022) requires hosts to disclose at registration the number of vehicles used by residents and guests and the number of dedicated parking spaces, to provide on-site parking for guests, and to post a notice inside the unit informing guests of parking limits. STR parking must also satisfy the off-street parking standards in the underlying zoning district under the Comprehensive Development Ordinance.
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules in Burlington
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Burlington caps short-term rental occupancy at two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, mirroring the city minimum housing code occupancy formula and capped further by septic or fire-code limits.
STR Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsNight Caps
Whole-home short-term rentals in Burlington are capped at 30 rental nights per calendar year when the host is absent, one of the strictest unhosted-night caps in New England.
30-Night Whole-Home Cap
Heavy RestrictionsHost Platform Liability
Burlington requires booking platforms to display valid STR registration numbers and cooperate with city takedown notices, holding hosts liable for noncompliant listings under CDO Sec. 5.4.5.
Platform Listing Compliance
Some RestrictionsLooking for Chittenden County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Burlington city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Chittenden County →