Bourne, Massachusetts Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Bourne 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

The Town of Bourne allows short-term rentals. For more details, contact the Bourne Health Department

Business License Requirements

Property owners who wish to operate short-term rentals must submit the Rental Property Registration Form.

Building and Housing Standards

Bourne 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.  Consult the Building and Inspection Department for more information.

Tourist and Local Taxes

Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the state and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by 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 Town of Bourne for more information.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    5.6
  • Competition

    5.5
  • Real Estate Cost

    4.3
  • STR Regulations

    8.0
  • Seasonality

    3.3
  • Rental Rates

    7.1

Bourne, 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
20,452
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
County
Barnstable
Airports
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Barnstable Municipal Airport (HYA)
Review our Bourne Massachusetts short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Bourne?

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 Bourne rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Bourne rental market.

City Activities

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

City Attractions

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

Bourne 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 Bourne guests.

Interested in other Massachusetts cities?

Check out the Massachusetts Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Bourne a great place to invest?

  • Cape Cod Canal: Bourne's most iconic attraction, the Cape Cod Canal, offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the engineering marvel that connects Cape Cod Bay to Buzzards Bay. Spanning over 17 miles, this man-made waterway is perfect for leisurely walks or bike rides along the scenic Canal Bike Path, where you can watch ships passing through and enjoy picturesque views of the surrounding landscapes.
  • The Monument Beach Marina: For those seeking fun on the water, the Monument Beach Marina is an excellent spot to launch your boating adventure. The marina features a public boat ramp, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and fishing opportunities. Take a leisurely cruise around Buzzards Bay, or participate in water sports like tubing and water skiing to make unforgettable memories with friends and family.
  • Bourne Scenic Park: Located along the banks of the Cape Cod Canal, Bourne Scenic Park offers a family-friendly retreat with breathtaking views of the waterway. The park boasts a variety of amenities, including picnic areas, playgrounds, a campsite, and access to the Canal Bike Path. Spend an afternoon relaxing with a picnic or participating in recreational activities, such as fishing or biking.
  • The National Marine Life Center: Dedicated to the rehabilitation and conservation of marine wildlife, the National Marine Life Center is both an educational and inspirational experience for visitors of all ages. Tour the facility to learn about the center's ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts, meet the resident animals, and participate in interactive exhibits that promote marine conservation awareness.

Bourne Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Bourne?

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 Bourne has increased 5% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $369, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$654,768

5% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$369

-3% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$2,660

-5% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Bourne, Massachusetts

Word Cloud for Bourne, Massachusetts Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Bourne 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 Bourne has a description approximately 1,409 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 572 listings in Bourne, 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, Cape Cod, Outdoor, Deck, Cottage, Family, Water, Perfect, Beautiful, and Relax.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Bourne?

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 Bourne involve Boating, the Beach, Swimming, Antiquing, and the Marina. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Boating

Beach

Swimming

Antiquing

Marina

Cycling

Sailing

Kayaking

Whale Watching

Adventure Activities

Water Parks

Wildlife Viewing

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Bourne, including Cape Cod Beaches, Water Wizz, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Woods Hole Ferry Terminal, and Edaville. 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

Old Silver Beach

Included on 76% of listings

Local Landmark

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Included on 76% of listings

Local Landmark

Sandy Neck Beach

Included on 56% of listings

Regional Landmark

Edaville

Included on 54% of listings

Local Landmark

Falmouth Heights Beach

Included on 23% of listings

Regional Landmark

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Included on 22% of listings

Regional Landmark

Shell Point Beach

Included on 22% of listings

Regional Landmark

Onset Beach

Included on 21% of listings

Local Landmark

Swifts Beach

Included on 19% of listings

Regional Landmark

Water Wizz

Included on 19% of listings

Regional Landmark

Woods Hole Ferry Terminal

Included on 18% of listings

Regional Landmark

Cape Cod Beaches

Included on 17% of listings

What’s the weather like in Bourne, Massachusetts?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 58°, while the average low is about 44°. 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 18 inches per year. The humidity levels in Bourne 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

26° Low 40° High

Precipitation
8.8"
Snowfall
13.8"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
51%

Spring

March through May

40° Low 55° High

Precipitation
10.3"
Snowfall
3.6"
Muggy Days
0.4 days
Cloudiness
52%

Summer

June through August

62° Low 76° High

Precipitation
8.5"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
28.8 days
Cloudiness
43%

Fall

September through November

47° Low 61° High

Precipitation
10.9"
Snowfall
0.4"
Muggy Days
5.7 days
Cloudiness
41%