Taxes & Fees: Hartford vs New Britain

What tax do I owe on rentals?

CT Room Occupancy Tax is 15% on stays under 30 days. This is among the highest in the nation.

Does Airbnb handle tax collection?

Yes. Airbnb and Vrbo auto-collect CT Room Occupancy Tax.

Does Hartford County, Connecticut collect a short-term rental tax?

No. Connecticut abolished county government in 1960 under Public Act 152, so Hartford County is not a governmental unit and does not levy any tax or licensing fee. The state of Connecticut imposes a 15% room occupancy tax under CGS Sec 12-407(a)(17)-(19) on stays of 30 consecutive days or less, which is the highest lodging tax rate in the United States. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit this tax for their hosts under agreements with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.

What if I rent off-platform from my Hartford-area home?

Hosts renting outside a covered facilitator (such as direct bookings, owner websites, or smaller platforms that do not collect Connecticut room occupancy tax) must register directly with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services for a Room Occupancy Tax permit and remit the 15% tax on Form OP-210. Each town in the Hartford area may also impose its own short-term rental registration, fire-marshal inspection, or zoning permit fee. Call CT DRS at 860-297-5962 and your town's land-use or assessor office to confirm.

Which Hartford-area towns charge the highest STR fees?

Fees vary widely because each of Connecticut's 169 towns and cities sets its own short-term rental rules, including the cities and towns within the historical Hartford County area. The City of Hartford, West Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester, Bristol, and New Britain each handle STR registration through their own zoning, fire, or housing code offices. Confirm specific fees with each individual town's land use, building, or tax assessor's office before listing a property.