What is the Boston Short-Term Rental Ordinance?

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How it works

To operate a short-term rental in Boston, a host must first verify their eligibility, confirming the property is their primary residence. The ordinance classifies eligible units into three types: Home Share (renting a room while present), Limited Share (renting the entire home while absent, capped at 90 nights/year), and Owner-Adjacent (renting a full unit in a 2- or 3-family building where the owner resides).

The host must then apply to the city for a registration number. This number must be prominently displayed on every online listing for the property on platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and others.

Booking platforms are required to share data with the city and remove any listings that lack a valid registration number.

Why it matters

This ordinance fundamentally changes who can participate in Boston's short-term rental market. It effectively eliminates the ability for non-resident investors to operate properties solely for STR purposes.

For eligible hosts, compliance is non-negotiable; operating without a valid and displayed registration number can lead to significant daily fines and removal from booking platforms. Understanding these regulations is crucial for any property owner or manager wishing to legally offer short-term stays in Boston.

Examples

• A tenant in South Boston rents out their spare bedroom to tourists while they are present in the apartment. This qualifies as a "Home Share" and is allowed, provided they have their landlord's permission and have successfully registered the unit with the city.
• A homeowner in the North End who lives in their two-family home is prohibited from renting out the second, separate apartment as a short-term rental because it is not their primary residence unit.
• A condo owner in Back Bay lists their entire primary residence on a booking platform for various weekends when they travel for work. This is a "Limited Share" rental and is permissible as long as they register with the city and do not exceed the 90-night annual rental cap.
• An investor purchases a studio apartment in Beacon Hill with the sole intention of using it as a full-time Airbnb. This is illegal under the ordinance, as the property is not the owner's primary residence.