Permit Requirements: Boston vs New York
How do permit requirements rules compare between Boston, MA and New York, NY?
Boston and New York have similar restriction levels.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
Boston requires STR registration through Inspectional Services with a $200 annual fee. Only owner-occupied properties qualify, and operators must reside in the unit at least 9 months per year.
View full Boston rules →New York, NY
New York County
New York City Local Law 18 of 2022, codified at NYC Administrative Code §§26-3101 and 26-3102, requires every host who rents a unit for fewer than 30 consecutive days to register with the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement (OSE). Enforcement against booking platforms began September 5, 2023. Under New York Multiple Dwelling Law §4(8)(a), Class A multiple dwellings (most NYC apartments) cannot be used for transient occupancy of fewer than 30 days unless the permanent occupant is present and no more than two guests are hosted at a time. The registration fee is $145.
View full New York rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $200 registration + $65 cert | - |
| Eligibility | Owner-occupied only | - |
| Residence Req | 9 months/year minimum | - |
| Fine | $300/day unregistered | - |
| Governing Law | - | NYC Local Law 18 of 2022; NYC Admin. Code §§26-3101, 26-3102; NY Mult. Dwell. Law §4(8)(a) |
| Enforcement Began | - | September 5, 2023 |
| Registration Fee | - | $145 (non-refundable) |
| Minimum Stay (Unhosted) | - | 30 consecutive days in Class A multiple dwellings |
| Host Presence | - | Required for stays under 30 days |
| Maximum Guests | - | Two paying guests per registered listing |
| Primary Residence | - | Required |
| Enforcement | - | Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Boston?
Boston requires STR registration through Inspectional Services with a $200 annual fee. Only owner-occupied properties qualify, and operators must reside in the unit at least 9 months per year.
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Boston?
Annual Fee: $200 registration + $65 cert. Eligibility: Owner-occupied only. Residence Req: 9 months/year minimum. Fine: $300/day unregistered.
New York FAQ
Can I rent my NYC apartment on Airbnb for fewer than 30 days?
Only if the unit is your primary residence, you register with OSE, you are physically present during the guest's stay, and no more than two paying guests are present at a time. Renting an entire apartment without the host present for under 30 days is illegal under Multiple Dwelling Law §4(8)(a).
How do I register a short-term rental in NYC?
Apply through the OSE Short-Term Rental Registration portal. The non-refundable registration fee is $145. You must provide proof of primary residency and that the unit complies with applicable building, zoning, and safety codes.
Are 30+ day rentals subject to Local Law 18?
No. Rentals of 30 consecutive days or longer are exempt from the registration requirement under Local Law 18.
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