Worcester, Massachusetts Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Worcester 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
Worcester City might have regulations, standards, and restrictions that might apply to your listing. Do your due diligence and consult a local lawyer or tax professional. Ordinances and Zoning are subject to changes and should always be confirmed with the City of WorcesterBusiness License Requirements
Visit the Business Licenses Department for clarification on when short-term rentals might need a business license.Building and Housing Standards
Worcester 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 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 Worcester website for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating6.5
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Competition
8.7 -
Real Estate Cost
7.1 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
6.2 -
Rental Rates
3.9
Worcester, 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
- 206,518
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- County
- Worcester
- Airports
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Worcester Regional Airport (ORH)
Want to learn more about Worcester?
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 Worcester rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Worcester rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Worcester.
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 Worcester guests.
Interested in other Massachusetts cities?
Check out the Massachusetts short term rental regulations directory
What makes Worcester a great place to invest?
- Rich History and Culture: Worcester, Massachusetts is a city steeped in history, offering a diverse array of historical sites and cultural institutions. Visitors can explore the American Antiquarian Society, founded in 1812, which houses the largest collection of early American printed materials. The Worcester Historical Museum offers insights into the city's storied past, with exhibits that highlight local history, art, and culture.
- Vibrant Arts Scene: Worcester boasts a thriving arts community, with a wide variety of galleries, theaters, and performance spaces. The Worcester Art Museum features an impressive collection of artwork spanning thousands of years, while the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts hosts Broadway shows, concerts, and other live performances in a beautifully restored historic venue.
- Eclectic Dining Options: Worcester's culinary scene is diverse and delicious, catering to every taste and budget. Sample gourmet cuisine at acclaimed restaurants like Armsby Abbey, known for its farm-to-table menu and extensive craft beer selection, or enjoy authentic ethnic fare at one of the many international eateries dotting the city.
- Green Spaces and Outdoor Activities: Outdoor enthusiasts will delight in Worcester's extensive park system, which includes over 60 parks and green spaces such as Elm Park, Green Hill Park, and the Mass Audubon's Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary. These parks offer walking trails, playgrounds, sports facilities, and opportunities for bird watching and wildlife spotting.
- University Town Charm: Worcester is home to numerous universities and colleges, which lend a vibrant, youthful energy to the city. Visitors can stroll through the picturesque campuses of Clark University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and College of the Holy Cross, among others, and attend lectures, performances, and sporting events hosted by these institutions.
Worcester Nearby Cities
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22 miles away
- Rating: 6.4
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22 miles away
- Rating: 6.0
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Worcester?
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 Worcester has increased 5% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $260, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$396,104
5% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$260
10% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,986
3% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Worcester
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Worcester, Massachusetts
Common terms for Worcester 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 Worcester has a description approximately 1,201 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 272 listings in Worcester, 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 Worcester, Place, Spacious, Quiet, Comfortable, Family, City, Clean, Feel, and Cozy.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Worcester?
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 Worcester involve going to the City Centre, Museums, Eco Tourism, Swimming, 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.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Eco Tourism
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Swimming
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Health Spa
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Sledding
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Hiking
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Cycling
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Antiquing
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Adventure Activities
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Wildlife Viewing
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Kayaking
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Worcester, including DCU Center, Union Station, Clark University, College of the Holy Cross, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 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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Regional Landmark
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DCU Center
Included on 76% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Union Station
Included on 76% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Clark University
Included on 76% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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UMass Memorial Medical Center
Included on 76% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
Included on 76% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Auburn Mall
Included on 76% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Quinsigamond State Park
Included on 76% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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College of the Holy Cross
Included on 74% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Included on 74% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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New England Baseball Complex
Included on 74% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Worcester Art Museum
Included on 74% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Included on 71% of listings
What’s the weather like in Worcester, Massachusetts?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 58°, while the average low is about 42°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 36 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 46 inches per year. The humidity levels in Worcester 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
22° Low 36° High
Spring
March through May
39° Low 57° High
Summer
June through August
61° Low 78° High
Fall
September through November
44° Low 60° High
Cities Near Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts, is located in Worcester County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
