DC short-term rental licensees must comply with DC Housing Code occupancy ceilings, generally two adults per bedroom plus two, and must disclose maximum guest capacity on every listing.
DLCP rules incorporate DC Housing Regulations (14 DCMR) occupancy standards into STR licensing. Hosts must publish accurate guest counts and may not exceed adopted occupancy formulas — typically two persons per bedroom plus two additional occupants. The license application requires bedroom count substantiation, and listings advertising more sleeping capacity than the license permits violate the host's duty of accuracy. DC's stricter rules in multifamily buildings further require hosts to comply with condo or cooperative bylaws and any building-specific occupancy or guest-stay limits, which often layer on top of District ceilings.
Exceeding posted occupancy or misrepresenting bedroom count constitutes a licensing violation, with fines per incident and possible license suspension.
Washington, DC
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Washington, DC
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Washington, DC
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Washington, DC
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Washington, DC
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Washington, DC
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See how Washington's occupancy limits rules stack up against other locations.
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