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Washington, DC Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
D.C. Code § 30-201.02(b)
Minimum coverage
At least $500,000 liability insurance
Who can provide it
Host or the booking service
Adjustment authority
Mayor may change the amount by rulemaking
Penalty for lapse
$500 to $6,000 plus revocation, § 30-201.10(a)

Summary

Every DC short-term rental host must carry at least $500,000 in current liability insurance before renting to a transient guest. D.C. Code § 30-201.02(b) lets the booking service supply that coverage instead of the host, and the Mayor can raise or lower the dollar threshold by rulemaking without a new act of the Council.

A host providing a short-term rental shall have current liability insurance of at least $500,000, which may be provided by the booking service. The Mayor may adjust the minimum dollar amount of this insurance requirement by rulemaking.

Source: D.C. Code § 30-201.02View official code

Full Breakdown

C. 02(b) sets a flat liability insurance floor for anyone offering a short-term rental or vacation rental in the District: at least $500,000 of current coverage. 01(1), such as the platform through which the listing is booked, to provide that coverage instead, which is how major national platforms typically satisfy this requirement for their DC hosts. The $500,000 figure is not fixed permanently in the statute: the Mayor may adjust the minimum dollar amount by rulemaking, meaning DLCP can raise or lower it through regulations rather than requiring the DC Council to amend the Code itself.

02(c); all three are baseline conditions a host must satisfy under this section before a Short-Term Rental or Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental endorsement is valid. 10(a) that applies to any other violation of that section, running from $500 for a first offense up to $6,000 and revocation for a third.

Violations & Fines

A host who lets required liability coverage lapse, or who cannot show at least $500,000 in current coverage on inspection, is treated as violating § 30-201.02 and faces the civil penalties in § 30-201.10(a): $500 for a first violation, $2,000 for a second, and $6,000 plus revocation of the license endorsement for a third.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy my own liability policy to rent on Airbnb in DC?
Not necessarily. D.C. Code § 30-201.02(b) requires at least $500,000 in current liability insurance, but it lets the booking service provide that coverage instead of the host. Many national platforms include host protection coverage that meets this threshold, so check your platform's policy before assuming you need a separate personal policy.
Can the $500,000 insurance minimum change?
Yes. § 30-201.02(b) gives the Mayor authority to adjust the minimum dollar amount by rulemaking, so DLCP can raise or lower the figure through regulations without the Council passing a new law. Hosts should confirm the current figure with DLCP rather than assuming $500,000 always applies.
What happens if I don't carry the required insurance?
Failing to maintain the insurance required by § 30-201.02(b) is a violation of that section, exposing the host to the escalating civil penalties in § 30-201.10(a): $500 for a first violation, $2,000 for a second, and $6,000 with revocation of the short-term rental license endorsement for a third.

Sources & Official References

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