Critical Finding
See whether the property can operate now, what blocks it, and which exception may apply.
Local guide
Washington, DC short-term rental licenses, rules, and tax
Washington, DC STR guidance is district-wide: choose the DLCP license class, meet primary-residence and safety rules, and account for the current 15.95% transient-accommodation tax.
- 100+ U.S. cities
- Official sources
- Address used only for local rules
Compliance layers
A Clear Answer, Then a Path Forward.
Address Context
Confirm zoning, current land use, jurisdiction, and the rules that actually govern the address.
Required Approvals
Get the permits, licenses, documents, inspections, and tax registrations needed before launch.
Recommended Path
Follow prioritized next steps, deadlines, renewal duties, and viable alternatives when rules change.
Occupancy tax calculator
Estimate occupancy tax in Washington, DC
Enter the nightly rate and stay length to estimate the lodging taxes and guest total for this jurisdiction.
- Gross rent$150.00 × 3 nights
- $450.00
- District of Columbia transient accommodation tax (15.95%) $450.00 × 15.95%
- $71.78
- Estimated taxes and fees
- $71.78
Guest pays
Assumptions used
- District-wide coverage: The estimate applies the District-wide transient-accommodation rate to the entered taxable room charge; confirm the stay and property qualify under current District rules.
- Electronic filing path: Use the District OTR MyTax.DC.gov filing and payment destination for the applicable tax account.
Estimated tax is $71.78. Estimated guest total is $521.78.
Estimate only. Verify the property jurisdiction, exemptions, taxable charges, filing duties, and marketplace collection with the linked official sources.
License
Choose the DLCP license class
Host-present and vacation-rental licenses have different operating limits.
- License fee
- $99 for two yearsConfirm the current Access DC application presentation.
- Host-present
- Each stay up to 30 nights; no annual cap stated in the cited guidancePrimary residence and host-present requirements apply.
- Vacation rental
- Entire primary residence; up to 90 nights per year; each stay up to 30 nightsTrack annual nights.
Prepare insurance and Clean Hands
Prepare proof of liability insurance and the Certificate of Clean Hands required by the current District application process.
RequiredComplete HOA/condo attestation
Submit the attestation where applicable.
Required
Operating rules
Meet safety and posting rules
DLCP identifies concrete safety, posting, phone and guest-cap controls.
Post the license and 24-hour contact
Keep the required information available to guests and authorities.
RequiredMaintain detectors and extinguisher
Follow the DLCP safety checklist.
RequiredTrack the guest limit
The cited guidance limits occupancy to eight guests and two per bedroom.
Required
Lodging tax
Use the current OTR rate
The calculator applies 15.95% to the room-charge base through March 30, 2027.
- Modeled rate
- 15.95% District transient accommodation taxThe rate period is source-backed and visible in the profile.
- Filing path
- MyTax.DC.gov / OTRReconcile booking-service collection and residual duties.
Ongoing compliance
Keep records and monitor enforcement
DLCP guidance calls for two years of records and provides complaint/enforcement destinations.
Retain records
Keep bookings, licenses, safety attestations and tax evidence for at least two years.
Review complaints
Use the DLCP complaint and enforcement path if a notice is received.
Renew on time
Recheck the license class and annual-night facts before renewal.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the DC license classes?
Host-present stays and vacation rentals use different primary-residence and annual-night rules; select the class matching the property and hosting model.
What rate does the calculator use?
It uses the current source-backed 15.95% District transient-accommodation rate through March 30, 2027.
What documents are needed?
Proof of liability insurance, a Certificate of Clean Hands, and an HOA or condominium attestation where applicable are among the cited requirements. Confirm the current insurance threshold in the District application instructions before filing.