Washington, DC Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing provision
- D.C. Code § 30-201.02(e)
- Occupancy limits come from
- Title 11, 12, 14 DCMR
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Protection
- First violation penalty
- $500 civil fine
- Third violation penalty
- $6,000 fine plus license revocation
- Multiple STRs allowed
- Only if occupancy limits are met
Summary
A Washington, D.C. host running more than one short-term rental at the same address, say a spare bedroom plus an in-law suite, doesn't get a pass on occupancy caps. D.C. Code § 30-201.02(e) ties that permission directly to the occupancy limits already set by Title 11, Title 12, and Title 14 of the D.C. Municipal Regulations.
A host may offer multiple short-term rentals at a single property, such as a bedroom and an in-law suite, subject to all applicable occupancy limits contained in Title 11, Title 12, and Title 14 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations.
Full Breakdown
C. C. Law 22-307), sets the baseline rules for hosts: a valid basic business license with a "Short-Term Rental" or "Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental" endorsement, $500,000 in liability insurance, a 24-hour emergency contact number for guests, and a requirement that the rental sit at the host's primary residence. 02 addresses hosts who want to run multiple short-term rentals out of one property, such as a bedroom and a separate in-law suite. C. Municipal Regulations, the zoning, building, and housing chapters that separately cap how many people can occupy a dwelling unit.
04(d), cannot issue one at all if Title 11 DCMR zoning rules prohibit the use at that address. 08 and must notify both the host and the booking platform the moment it flags a listing that appears to violate the subchapter, including an occupancy problem.
Violations & Fines
A host found in violation of § 30-201.02, which covers the occupancy-limit condition in subsection (e), faces a civil penalty under § 30-201.10: $500 for a first violation, $2,000 for a second, and $6,000 for a third violation along with revocation of the short-term rental license endorsement. The Mayor may adjust these dollar amounts by rulemaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a D.C. host rent out two separate spaces as short-term rentals?
What happens if a D.C. short-term rental exceeds its occupancy limit?
Which agency enforces occupancy compliance for D.C. short-term rentals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington
Compare Washington to another location·View the District of Columbia short-term rentals overview
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