Primary-Residence-Only Rule
Rules limiting short-term rentals to a host's primary residence, including documentation required to prove residency and rules against operating multiple listings.
Short-Term Rentals in District of Columbia (2026)
10 rules on the books across District of Columbia, 1 city or county. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Short-Term Rental Permits
Whether you need a license or permit to list your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms, and what the application process looks like.
Taxes & Fees
Transient occupancy taxes, tourism fees, and other charges that hosts must collect from guests or pay to the city.
District of Columbia: statewide
StatewideSome RestrictionsDistrict of Columbia short-term rental hosts must pay all applicable transient lodging taxes and pay a license…
Read full rule →Washington
Heavy RestrictionsDC imposes a 15.95% transient accommodations tax on all short-term rental stays, effective through March 30, 2027…
Read full rule →Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Off-street parking requirements for rental guests, limits on the number of vehicles, and restrictions on street parking near rental properties.
Occupancy Limits
Maximum number of guests allowed per rental unit, often based on the number of bedrooms or square footage of the property.
Insurance Requirements
Liability insurance minimums and other coverage that hosts must carry when renting their property to short-term guests.
Night Caps
Limits on how many nights per year a property can be rented as a short-term rental, sometimes called annual caps or night limits.
Repeat Violator Strikes
Three-strike or escalating-penalty systems for hosts with repeated noise, occupancy, or registration violations, including permit revocation thresholds.
Host Platform Liability
When platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) are liable for unpermitted listings, registration-number display rules and platform takedown obligations.