STR rules by city / Boston, MA
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Boston, MA short-term-rental rules
Boston requires hosts to register each short-term-rental unit with Inspectional Services and to put the active registration number on every listing before offering it as a short-term rental.
What does Boston, MA require?
Boston requires hosts to register each short-term-rental unit with Inspectional Services and to put the active registration number on every listing before offering it as a short-term rental.
How much is the Boston permit fee?
$25 per year for a Limited Share unit; $200 per year for a Home Share unit; $200 per year for an Owner-Adjacent unit.
How often do I renew?
Annual. The short-term-rental license must be renewed each year.
Does it have to be my primary residence?
It depends on the unit type. Limited Share and Home Share units must be the operator's primary residence; the Owner-Adjacent type covers a second unit in an owner-occupied two- or three-family building.
What else should I know?
- A Limited Share unit is a private room or shared space in the operator's primary residence, with the operator present during the stay.
- A Home Share unit is the operator's whole primary residence; an Owner-Adjacent unit is a second unit in an owner-occupied two- or three-family building.
Source: City of Boston — Inspectional Services, Short-Term Rentals. Verified as of July 4, 2026. Rules change, so confirm the current requirement with your city before you submit.
Boston, MA short-term-rental permit questions
- Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Boston, MA?
- Boston requires hosts to register each short-term-rental unit with Inspectional Services and to put the active registration number on every listing before offering it as a short-term rental.
- How much does a Boston short-term-rental permit cost?
- $25 per year for a Limited Share unit; $200 per year for a Home Share unit; $200 per year for an Owner-Adjacent unit.
- How often do I renew my Boston short-term-rental registration?
- Annual. The short-term-rental license must be renewed each year.
- Does my Boston short-term rental have to be my primary residence?
- It depends on the unit type. Limited Share and Home Share units must be the operator's primary residence; the Owner-Adjacent type covers a second unit in an owner-occupied two- or three-family building.
Ready to register in Boston?
The $49 Permit Packet turns these rules into a pre-filled, submission-ready registration packet plus a renewal calendar, with every requirement cited to Boston's primary source. You review it, then submit it to the city.
Running more than one unit in Boston? Add Renewal Monitoring for $29/year and we'll watch each permit and email you ahead of every deadline.
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STRPermitKit is an independent document-preparation tool — not legal advice, not affiliated with Airbnb, Vrbo, or any city government; verify all requirements with your city.