Boston, MA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Boston, MA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Enforcer
- Inspectional Services Department
- Annual Fee
- $200 Home Share
- Smoke/CO Cert
- Required from BFD
- Unpermitted Fine
- Up to $300/day
Summary
Boston requires every short-term rental to register with the Inspectional Services Department, pay an annual fee, and display the registration number in every listing citywide.
Short-term rentals in Boston need to register with the City of Boston. [...] There are three types of short-term rental units that may be offered up to 365 days per year: Home share unit; Limited share unit; Owner - adjacent unit. [...] LIMITED SHARE UNITS — Limited Share Units have a private bedroom in an owner-operator's primary residence. One bedroom must be reserved for the operators use. The owner would be present during the rental. The fee for this type of unit is $25 per year. Occupancy is limited to three guest bedrooms or six guests, whichever is fewer. HOME SHARE UNITS — Home Share Units have a whole unit available for a short-term rental at the primary residence of an owner-operator. The fee is $200 per year. Occupancy is limited to five bedrooms or 10 guests, whichever is fewer. OWNER-ADJACENT UNITS — Owner-Adjacent Units are within owner-occupied two- or three-family buildings. In this situation, the owner lists the entire single secondary unit as a short-term rental. The fee is $200 per year.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Boston's STR registration portal requires the host to submit proof of primary residence, a certificate of insurance, a floor plan, smoke and CO detector certification from the Boston Fire Department, and the condo association consent letter if applicable. Annual fees are $200 for Home Share, $200 for Owner-Adjacent, and higher tiers have been phased out. The ISD-issued registration number must appear in every Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com listing or the platform is required under the pass-through agreement to delist the unit. Renewal is annual. Operating without registration triggers fines up to $300 per day and cease-and-desist orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does registration take?
Does Airbnb check the registration number?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boston
How Boston compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Boston to another location·View the Massachusetts short-term rentals overview
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Short-Term Rental Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle short-term rental permits.