Stamford, Connecticut Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave

Last updated August 23, 2023

Stamford Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

City Code of Ordinances

Short-term rentals shall mean offering for lease, sublease, or providing one or more rooms on a Short-Term Rental Property. Short-term rentals shall be permitted in all Zoning Districts where residential uses are permitted; provided, however, that no Short-term rentals shall be permitted in the RA-3, RA-2, RA-1, R-20, R-10, R-7½, or R-6 Zoning Districts unless the Short-Term Rental Operator resides in such Short-Term Rental Property at all times when guests occupy the property. A short-term rental operator shall mean the owner, lessee, sublessee, or other providers of a short-term rental who resides at the property as their primary residence and offers the property for occupancy.

Short-Term Rental Transaction shall mean a Short-term rental for one (1) to 27 consecutive days but no more than 90 days per calendar year.

View the Zoning Map and Zoning Regulations 5.43 for more information. 

Business License Requirements

Short-term rentals might require a business license. Contact the City of Stamford page for more details.

Building and Housing Standards

Stamford might have rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing.  Contact the Building Department for more details.

Tourist and Local Taxes

Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county law.

Other Rules

It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City of Stamford for more information.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.0
  • Competition

    7.6
  • Real Estate Cost

    3.4
  • STR Regulations

    4.0
  • Seasonality

    5.5
  • Rental Rates

    9.3

Stamford, Connecticut Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
135,470
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
County
Fairfield
Airports
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Westchester County Airport (HPN)
Review our Stamford Connecticut short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Stamford?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Stamford rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Stamford rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Stamford.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Stamford Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Stamford guests.

Interested in other Connecticut cities?

Check out the Connecticut Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Stamford a great place to invest?

  1. The Stamford Museum and Nature Center is a must-visit destination for those interested in learning more about the natural history of the area. Visitors can explore the museum's exhibits on local wildlife, geology, and Native American culture, or wander through the center's nature trails and gardens.
  2. Foodies will delight in the city's vibrant dining scene, which features everything from high-end steakhouses to family-owned Italian restaurants. Highlights include the classic American fare at Michael Jordan's The Steak House, the modern American cuisine at Bar Zepoli, and the authentic Italian dishes at Fortina.
  3. Sports fans will find plenty to keep them entertained in Stamford. The city is home to the minor league baseball team the Stamford Thunderbirds, as well as the Fairfield University Stags basketball team. Additionally, nearby Bridgeport is home to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers hockey team.
  4. For those who prefer the great outdoors, Stamford offers a wealth of natural parks and recreational areas to explore. Cove Island Park, Cummings Park, and Mianus River State Park all offer beautiful natural scenery, hiking trails, and picnic areas for visitors to enjoy.
  5. The Stamford Downtown Special Services District is a bustling hub of activity, with a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. The area features everything from high-end fashion boutiques to antique shops, as well as a variety of bars and clubs for nightlife enthusiasts.
  6. The city's proximity to New York City makes it an ideal base for those looking to explore the Big Apple. Visitors can take a short train ride into the city to see famous landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Central Park.
  7. History buffs will appreciate Stamford's rich cultural heritage, which dates back to the 17th century. Visitors can explore the city's many historic landmarks, including the Hoyt-Barnum House, the Stamford Historical Society Museum, and the Old Town Hall Museum.

Stamford Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Stamford?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Stamford has increased 4% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $425, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$920,661

4% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$425

9% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$4,120

3% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Stamford, Connecticut

Word Cloud for Stamford, Connecticut Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Stamford short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Stamford has a description approximately 1,006 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 594 listings in Stamford, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Beach, Stamford, Outdoor, Beautiful, NYC, Family, Place, Walking, Quiet, and Spacious.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Stamford?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Stamford involve going to the Beach, the City Centre, Boating, the Marina, and the Health Spa. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Beach

City Centre

Boating

Marina

Health Spa

Swimming

Museums

Adventure Activities

Cycling

Water Sports

Paddle Boating

Kayaking

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Stamford, including Capitol Theatre, Historic South Norwalk, Norwalk Maritime Aquarium, Chelsea Piers, and Greenwich Avenue. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Local Landmark

The Glass House

Included on 49% of listings

Regional Landmark

Historic South Norwalk

Included on 48% of listings

Regional Landmark

Greenwich Avenue

Included on 48% of listings

Regional Landmark

Chelsea Piers

Included on 47% of listings

Regional Landmark

Stamford Town Center

Included on 47% of listings

Regional Landmark

Capitol Theatre

Included on 43% of listings

Regional Landmark

Historic South Norwalk

Included on 42% of listings

Regional Landmark

Norwalk Maritime Aquarium

Included on 42% of listings

Regional Landmark

The Glass House

Included on 42% of listings

Local Landmark

Stamford Center for the Arts

Included on 42% of listings

Regional Landmark

Purchase College

Included on 41% of listings

Regional Landmark

Chelsea Piers

Included on 40% of listings

What’s the weather like in Stamford, Connecticut?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 60°, while the average low is about 46°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 39 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 23 inches per year. The humidity levels in Stamford are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

27° Low 40° High

Precipitation
7.4"
Snowfall
18.3"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
51%

Spring

March through May

43° Low 59° High

Precipitation
10.4"
Snowfall
4.1"
Muggy Days
1.0 days
Cloudiness
50%

Summer

June through August

65° Low 80° High

Precipitation
10.4"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
33.1 days
Cloudiness
42%

Fall

September through November

49° Low 63° High

Precipitation
10.6"
Snowfall
0.6"
Muggy Days
6.8 days
Cloudiness
40%