Boston, Massachusetts Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Boston 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 are regulated in the City of Boston. They defined short-term rental as the use of a Residential Unit for residential occupancy by a person or persons for a period of fewer than twenty-eight consecutive calendar days for a fee. A short-term rental may or may not be facilitated through a Booking Agent.There are three types of short-term rental units that may be offered up to 365 days per year:
- Home share unit - A Residential Unit offered as a Short-Term Rental that is the Operator's Primary Residence. Occupancy shall be limited to five bedrooms or ten guests in a Home Share Unit.
- Limited share unit - A Residential Unit that is the Operator's Primary Residence, a portion of which is offered as a Short-Term Rental while the Operator is present. Occupancy shall be limited to three bedrooms or six guests in a Limited Share Unit. One bedroom must be reserved for the Operator.
- Owner-adjacent unit - A Residential Unit offered as a Short-Term Rental that is not the owner's Primary Residence, but that's located within the same dwelling as the Primary Residence of, and is owned by, said Owner; provided that, Owner-Adjacent Units used as Short-Tenn Rentals shall only be allowed in two-family or three-family dwellings where all units are owned by the same unique owner-occupant who serves as the Operator.
Business License Requirements
An Operator who wishes to offer their Residential Unit as a Short-Term Rental shall register with ISD. Once you receive your short-term rental license, you can apply for your business certificate from the City Clerk's Office.Building and Housing Standards
The City of Boston has 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 City of Boston Inspectional Services Department for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Your listing may be subject to the convention center (together known as room occupancy taxes) and excise taxes levied by the City of Boston. The Massachusetts excise tax may also be applicable. Observe State Tax Code Section 64G(3).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 Boston for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating4.5
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Competition
3.3 -
Real Estate Cost
3.4 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
3.1 -
Rental Rates
8.9
Boston, Massachusetts 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
- 675,674
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Suffolk
- Airports
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Worcester Regional Airport (ORH)
Want to learn more about Boston?
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 Boston rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Boston rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Boston.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Boston guests.
Interested in other Massachusetts cities?
Check out the Massachusetts Airbnb rules directory
What makes Boston a great place to invest?
- Rich in American history: Boston, the cradle of the American Revolution, offers a treasure trove of historical sites and attractions. Visitors can explore the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile-long route that passes 16 iconic landmarks, including the Massachusetts State House, Old North Church, and the Paul Revere House. Don't miss the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, where you can participate in an interactive reenactment of the famous 1773 protest.
- World-class museums and cultural institutions: Boston is home to renowned museums such as the Museum of Fine Arts, showcasing an impressive collection of global art, and the New England Aquarium, featuring a 200,000-gallon Giant Ocean Tank. Additionally, the city boasts a vibrant arts scene, with acclaimed institutions like the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the American Repertory Theater offering performances throughout the year.
- Unique culinary experiences: Boston's diverse dining scene offers visitors a wide variety of culinary delights. Indulge in mouthwatering seafood, including clam chowder and lobster rolls, at historic eateries like Union Oyster House, or explore the city's multicultural cuisine in neighborhoods such as the North End, Boston's Little Italy. The city also boasts a thriving craft beer scene, with several popular breweries and pubs offering unique tasting experiences.
- Sports and outdoor activities: Boston is a sports lover's paradise, with iconic teams like the Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins calling the city home. Catch a game at the legendary Fenway Park, or take a tour of the historic stadium. For outdoor enthusiasts, the city offers a plethora of green spaces such as the picturesque Boston Common and the tranquil Arnold Arboretum. Venture beyond the city limits to enjoy hiking, biking, and birdwatching in the nearby Blue Hills Reservation or Harbor Islands.
- Premier educational institutions: As home to prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT, Boston is a hub of intellectual and academic pursuits. Visitors can tour these stunning campuses, explore their impressive museums and libraries, and attend thought-provoking lectures or cultural events.
Boston Nearby Cities
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4 miles away
- Rating: 4.5
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7 miles away
- Rating: 4.6
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Boston?
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 Boston has increased 1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $724, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$906,899
1% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$724
-1% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$3,189
7% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Boston
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Boston, Massachusetts
Common terms for Boston 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 Boston has a description approximately 1,665 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 4,700 listings in Boston, 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 Boston, Comfortable, Place, Walking, NumberSTR, Easy, Downtown Boston, City, Car, and Spacious.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Boston?
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 Boston involve going to the City Centre, Outlet Shopping, Museums, Cycling, and Hiking. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Outlet Shopping
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Museums
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Cycling
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Hiking
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Swimming
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Whale Watching
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Zoo
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Health Spa
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Marina
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Boating
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Casinos
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Boston, including Fenway Park, Harvard University, Boston University, TD Garden, and Northeastern University. 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.
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Well Known Attraction
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Fenway Park
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Harvard University
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston University
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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TD Garden
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Northeastern University
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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New England Aquarium
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston Common
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Copley Square
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston Harbor
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Included on 53% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Included on 53% of listings
What’s the weather like in Boston, Massachusetts?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 59°, while the average low is about 45°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 38 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 28 inches per year. The humidity levels in Boston are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
26° Low 39° High
Spring
March through May
42° Low 56° High
Summer
June through August
64° Low 79° High
Fall
September through November
48° Low 62° High
Cities Near Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, is located in Suffolk County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
