Plymouth, Massachusetts Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Plymouth 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 Short-Term Rental (STR) regulations will be submitted as a by-law warrant article to the Plymouth Fall Town Meeting. The STR regulations have not been drafted as of this time.

Business License Requirements

On April 28th, 2021, the Board of Health approved the Short Term Rental Affidavit and Registration forms and guidelines. Complete the following documents: 

Building and Housing Standards

Plymouth 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 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 Plymouth for more information.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    7.2
  • Competition

    9.5
  • Real Estate Cost

    4.7
  • STR Regulations

    10.0
  • Seasonality

    2.9
  • Rental Rates

    8.7

Plymouth, 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
61,217
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
County
Plymouth
Airports
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
New Bedford Regional Airport (EWB)
Review our Plymouth Massachusetts short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Plymouth?

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

City Activities

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

City Attractions

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

Plymouth 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 Plymouth guests.

Interested in other Massachusetts cities?

Check out the Massachusetts Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Plymouth a great place to invest?

  • Historic Attractions: Plymouth, Massachusetts, often referred to as "America's Hometown," is steeped in rich history that dates back to the early 17th century. Visitors can explore iconic landmarks, such as Plymouth Rock, where the Pilgrims first disembarked from the Mayflower, and Plimoth Patuxet Museums, a living history museum that recreates the Pilgrims' original 1627 settlement and offers a fascinating glimpse into life during that time.
  • Mayflower II: Docked in Plymouth Harbor, the Mayflower II is a full-scale replica of the original ship that brought the Pilgrims to the New World. Step on board to discover the ship's intricate craftsmanship, learn about the treacherous journey, and interact with costumed interpreters who share the stories of the brave passengers and crew members.
  • Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities: With its stunning coastline, picturesque forests, and sprawling parks, Plymouth offers a plethora of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy scenic hikes, birdwatching, and picnicking at Myles Standish State Forest or Ellisville Harbor State Park. For water lovers, kayaking, boating, and fishing are popular activities at Plymouth Harbor and Billington Sea.
  • Cultural Experiences: Plymouth boasts a rich cultural scene, offering visitors a range of art galleries, theaters, and live music venues. The Spire Center for Performing Arts, for instance, hosts live performances from local and national artists, while the Plymouth Center for the Arts showcases rotating exhibitions and workshops.
  • Local Cuisine and Breweries: Savor the flavors of Plymouth by indulging in its diverse culinary offerings. From fresh seafood caught in the Atlantic waters to farm-to-table dishes, there's something for every palate. Don't miss the chance to taste locally crafted beers and wines at the numerous breweries and wineries, such as Mayflower Brewing Company or Plymouth Bay Winery.

Plymouth Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Plymouth?

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 Plymouth has increased 1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $338, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$603,225

1% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$338

4% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$2,711

-4% YoY

Property Descriptions

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

Word Cloud for Plymouth, Massachusetts Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Plymouth 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 Plymouth has a description approximately 1,531 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 335 listings in Plymouth, 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, Plymouth, Deck, Family, Outdoor, Cape Cod, Beautiful, Yard, View, and Downtown Plymouth.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Plymouth?

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 Plymouth involve going to the Beach, Adventure Activities, Swimming, Whale Watching, and Sailing. 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

Adventure Activities

Swimming

Whale Watching

Sailing

Museums

Cycling

Antiquing

Boating

Marina

City Centre

Kayaking

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Plymouth, including Plymouth Rock, White Horse Beach, Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II, and Plymouth Long Beach. 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.

Regional Landmark

Plymouth Rock

Included on 89% of listings

Regional Landmark

Plymouth Harbor

Included on 89% of listings

Regional Landmark

Mayflower II

Included on 89% of listings

Regional Landmark

Plimoth Patuxet Museums

Included on 89% of listings

Local Landmark

White Horse Beach

Included on 89% of listings

Regional Landmark

Edaville

Included on 50% of listings

Local Landmark

Sandy Neck Beach

Included on 16% of listings

Regional Landmark

Plymouth Rock

Included on 10% of listings

Regional Landmark

White Horse Beach

Included on 10% of listings

Regional Landmark

Mayflower II

Included on 10% of listings

Regional Landmark

Plymouth Long Beach

Included on 10% of listings

Regional Landmark

Pinehills Golf Club

Included on 10% of listings

What’s the weather like in Plymouth, Massachusetts?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 59°, while the average low is about 43°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 40 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 20 inches per year. The humidity levels in Plymouth 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

25° Low 40° High

Precipitation
9.0"
Snowfall
15.4"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
52%

Spring

March through May

39° Low 55° High

Precipitation
10.6"
Snowfall
4.4"
Muggy Days
0.4 days
Cloudiness
53%

Summer

June through August

61° Low 78° High

Precipitation
8.9"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
27.3 days
Cloudiness
44%

Fall

September through November

45° Low 61° High

Precipitation
11.2"
Snowfall
0.6"
Muggy Days
5.1 days
Cloudiness
42%