Short-term rental permit rules in Bristol County, MA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Bristol County does not impose county-level STR registration. All Massachusetts STR operators must register with the Department of Revenue via MassTaxConnect under MGL Ch. 64G. Individual towns may adopt their own STR ordinances with additional requirements.
Massachusetts enacted comprehensive STR legislation in 2018 (MGL c.64G). All STR hosts must register with the MA Department of Revenue (DOR) state registry. Hosts must carry $1 million liability insurance. Bristol County may require additional local STR licensing, impose occupancy limits, and set owner-occupancy requirements. Safety requirements include smoke detectors, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers per MA fire code. Cape Cod, the Islands, and Boston have extensive additional STR regulations.
Unregistered STR: state fines + back taxes. Operating without local license: $100 to $300/day. Insurance non-compliance: immediate suspension.
Bristol County, MA
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See how Bristol County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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