Provincetown, Massachusetts Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Provincetown 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 Provincetown Board of Health has adopted new public health and safety regulations about renting property for habitation, Board of Health Regulation, Habitations for Rent. This new regulation applies to all rental property forms, including weekly, seasonal, and year-round. A short-term rental is defined as any room or unit that is rented for less than 31 days. It includes a room rented in your house, your primary residence, or a second home.Business License Requirements
If you are renting property as a short-term rental, you are required to obtain a Renter's Certificate.Building and Housing Standards
Provincetown 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
The total tax is 14.45% (which includes 5.7% state tax, 6.0% local tax, and 2.75% Cape Cod and Islands Water Pollution Fund Tax) of the total amount of the rent. For more information, visit the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.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 Provincetown for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.5
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Competition
4.6 -
Real Estate Cost
3.2 -
STR Regulations
8.0 -
Seasonality
2.1 -
Rental Rates
9.6
Provincetown, 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
- 3,664
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Barnstable
- Airports
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Provincetown Municipal Airport (PVC)
Want to learn more about Provincetown?
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 Provincetown rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Provincetown rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Provincetown.
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 Provincetown guests.
Interested in other Massachusetts cities?
Check out the Massachusetts Airbnb rules directory
What makes Provincetown a great place to invest?
- Vibrant Art Scene: Provincetown, Massachusetts, boasts a thriving and diverse art community, with numerous galleries, workshops, and studios to explore. Don't miss the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, which showcases works from local artists and hosts educational programs, lectures, and special events throughout the year.
- Rich History and Culture: Provincetown is steeped in American history, dating back to the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620. Visit the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum to learn about the town's significant role in the nation's early years, as well as its maritime history, and thriving LGBTQ+ community.
- Beautiful Beaches: Provincetown's pristine beaches, including Herring Cove and Race Point, offer visitors a chance to unwind, swim, sunbathe, or explore the shoreline. The Cape Cod National Seashore, spanning over 40 miles, provides ample opportunities for beachcombing, hiking, and wildlife spotting.
- Outdoor Adventures: For nature lovers, Provincetown offers an array of outdoor activities, such as whale-watching tours, biking and hiking trails, kayaking, and birdwatching. The nearby Cape Cod Provincelands Trail and Beech Forest Trail provide scenic routes through unique landscapes of sand dunes, marshes, and forests.
- Eclectic Dining and Shopping: Provincetown is home to a wide range of dining options, from local seafood shacks to gourmet restaurants. Discover the town's vibrant culinary scene, offering fresh seafood, international cuisine, and farm-to-table fare. Along Commercial Street, visitors can enjoy shopping at unique boutiques, art galleries, and charming souvenir shops.
Provincetown Nearby Cities
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23 miles away
- Rating: 5.4
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25 miles away
- Rating: 7.2
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Provincetown?
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 Provincetown has increased 10% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $1,091, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$957,575
10% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$1,091
24% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Provincetown
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Provincetown, Massachusetts
Common terms for Provincetown 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 Provincetown has a description approximately 1,503 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 881 listings in Provincetown, 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, Deck, Provincetown, Outdoor, Town, View, Cottage, Cape Cod, Car, and Commercial.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Provincetown?
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 Provincetown involve Swimming, Whale Watching, Cycling, Sailing, and the Beach. 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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Swimming
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Whale Watching
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Cycling
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Sailing
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Beach
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Museums
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Antiquing
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Boating
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Winery Tours
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Kayaking
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Wildlife Viewing
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Hiking
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Provincetown, including Cape Cod Beaches, Pilgrim Monument, Race Point 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.
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Local Landmark
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Pilgrim Monument
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Race Point Beach
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cape Cod Beaches
Included on 34% of listings
What’s the weather like in Provincetown, Massachusetts?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 57°, while the average low is about 45°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 41 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 14 inches per year. The humidity levels in Provincetown 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
29° Low 41° High
Spring
March through May
40° Low 53° High
Summer
June through August
62° Low 75° High
Fall
September through November
48° Low 60° High
Cities Near Provincetown
Provincetown, Massachusetts, is located in Barnstable County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
