Permit Requirements: Bridgeport vs Stratford
How do permit requirements rules compare between Bridgeport, CT and Stratford, CT?
Bridgeport and Stratford have similar restriction levels.
Bridgeport, CT
Fairfield County
Bridgeport requires STR registration for properties rented under 30 days. The city's waterfront redevelopment at Steelpointe Harbor and Seaside Park beach access drive rental demand. CT 15% tax applies.
View full Bridgeport rules →Stratford, CT
Fairfield County
Fairfield County has no operational county government (abolished 1960) and Connecticut has no statewide STR registration program. Permit and zoning rules are set by each town under home rule. The state imposes a 15% room occupancy tax on rentals of 30 consecutive days or fewer under Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 12-407 and Sec. 12-408. Public Act 19-117 (2019) requires STR facilitators (Airbnb, Vrbo) to collect and remit the tax for their hosts.
View full Stratford rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bridgeport | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Required with city | - |
| State Tax | 15% Room Occupancy Tax | - |
| Demand | Waterfront/Seaside Park | - |
| Safety | Fire safety compliance | - |
| County Government | - | None (abolished 1960) |
| Statewide STR Registration | - | None |
| Room Occupancy Tax (STRs) | - | 15% |
| B&B Rate | - | 11% |
| Tax Authority | - | Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 12-407, 12-408 |
| Facilitator Collection | - | Required (PA 19-117) |
| Threshold | - | 30 consecutive days or fewer |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bridgeport FAQ
Do I need a permit to Airbnb my home?
Check Bridgeport requirements. Many CT towns have not yet adopted specific STR ordinances.
What taxes apply?
CT Room Occupancy Tax (15%) applies to all stays under 30 days - one of the highest rates in the nation.
Stratford FAQ
Do I need a county short-term rental permit in Fairfield County?
No. Connecticut counties have no operational government and no permitting authority. STR rules are set by each town. You must register with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services for the 15% room occupancy tax under Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 12-407, unless your booking platform (Airbnb, Vrbo) collects and remits it on your behalf under Public Act 19-117.
Are long-term rentals subject to Connecticut's room occupancy tax?
No. The room occupancy tax under Conn. Gen. Stat. Sec. 12-407 applies only to rentals of 30 consecutive days or fewer. Rentals lasting 31 days or more are exempt from the 15% tax.
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