State Framework
Understand the statewide rules, tax layer, and authority given to cities and counties.
State guide
District of Columbia Short-Term Rental Laws, Licenses, and Taxes
Official-source guide to District of Columbia short-term rental eligibility, DLCP licensing, stay limits, lodging taxes, zoning checks, operating duties, and enforcement, with Washington, DC next steps.
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Compliance layers
Four Layers to Verify Before Your District of Columbia Property Goes Live.
Local Permit
Match the address to the correct city or town permit, notice, renewal, and operating rules.
Tax Obligations
Check state and local licensing, filing, and marketplace collection responsibilities.
County Records
Verify the separate rental-registration or property-record steps for the relevant county.
Direct answer
District of Columbia STR rules at a glance
Operating a short-term or vacation rental in the District requires the applicable basic business license endorsement. Current eligibility centers on a natural-person host and a primary residence, while the operating class determines whether the host is present and whether the 90-night vacation-rental cap applies.
- License
- Short-Term Rental or Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental endorsementChoose the class that matches whether the host remains present during the stay.
- Maximum stay
- 30 or fewer continuous nights per stay
- Vacation-rental cap
- 90 nights cumulatively per calendar year unless an official exemption applies
Eligibility
Confirm the host, residence, and rental class
The current framework ties the license to an eligible primary residence and distinguishes host-present short-term rentals from host-absent vacation rentals. Investment-property or company-owned models should not be assumed eligible under the current DLCP guidance.
Confirm primary-residence eligibility
Verify the natural-person host, ownership, and Homestead Tax Deduction eligibility before relying on the short-term-rental path.
RequiredChoose host-present or vacation-rental use
Use the host-present endorsement when the host remains at the residence; use the vacation-rental endorsement when guests have exclusive use while the host is absent.
RequiredCheck association restrictions
Obtain the applicable association attestation or permission when a condominium, cooperative, or homeowners association governs the property.
License and records
Prepare the District license and operating file
DLCP lists a $99 cost for a two-year Short-Term Rental or Vacation Rental license. The application also requires Clean Hands eligibility, liability-insurance proof, and association documentation when applicable. Recheck the live DLCP application destination before filing.
Verify Clean Hands eligibility
Confirm the property owner can satisfy the Office of Tax and Revenue Clean Hands requirement before submitting the license application.
RequiredDocument liability insurance
Keep current proof of the liability coverage required for the endorsement. Confirm the applicable amount with DLCP before filing because the agency guidance and codified statute currently display different figures.
RequiredRetain booking records for two years
Preserve the booking and operating records required by District law so they remain available for renewal or enforcement review.
RequiredConfirm the current insurance requirement
The official agency guidance and codified statute currently display different minimums. This guide does not select an amount; confirm the requirement accepted by DLCP for the application being filed.
Warning
Property-specific controls
Check zoning, safety, and guest limits
District-wide licensing does not replace an address-level zoning check. The statute prevents issuance where Title 11 zoning rules prohibit the use, so verify the official zoning map and property record before treating a general eligibility statement as parcel approval.
- Guest limit
- Eight transient guests or two guests per bedroom, whichever is greater
- License inspection
- A premises inspection is not a prerequisite to endorsement issuanceThe host still must satisfy applicable housing, property-maintenance, safety, and operating duties.
Lodging tax
Use the current District transient-accommodation tax period
The Office of Tax and Revenue increased the total rate on covered transient-accommodation gross receipts from 14.95% to 15.95% for April 1, 2023 through March 30, 2027. Recheck the official rate before applying it after that period.
- Current published rate
- 15.95%Officially stated period: April 1, 2023 through March 30, 2027.
- Booking-service role
- Covered booking services collect and remit required transient-occupancy taxes on behalf of hostsHosts should still verify any remaining registration, filing, or reconciliation duties with OTR.
Operating duties
Keep the license visible and prepare for enforcement checks
District law requires hosts to display the endorsement information, maintain required safety and contact arrangements, and retain booking records. DLCP may investigate suspected violations and use administrative orders, civil penalties, suspension, or revocation where authorized.
Post the active license information
Display the basic business license with the STR endorsement inside the property and include the endorsement number in listings where required.
Maintain safety and emergency-contact controls
Keep the required safety equipment, unobstructed egress, and emergency-contact arrangements in operating condition for every stay.
Save the compliance record
Retain the license, tax reconciliation, association documentation, insurance proof, booking records, and corrections needed to respond to a renewal or enforcement inquiry.
Detailed next steps
Continue with the Washington, DC jurisdiction guide
Use the Washington, DC guide for the detailed license class, document, safety, tax-calculator, and filing workflow after confirming that the District-wide framework applies.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to operate a short-term rental in the District of Columbia?
Yes. Current DLCP guidance and D.C. law require the applicable basic business license endorsement for short-term and vacation rentals.
What is the difference between a short-term rental and a vacation rental in DC?
A short-term rental generally involves a host who remains present; a vacation rental gives guests exclusive use while the host is absent and is generally subject to the annual 90-night limit.
Can any District property be used as a short-term rental?
No. Current eligibility depends on the host, primary-residence rules, licensing, any governing association, and property-specific zoning. A general District-wide license description is not parcel approval.
What transient-accommodation tax rate does DC currently publish?
OTR's official notice states a 15.95% total rate for the period from April 1, 2023 through March 30, 2027. Recheck the official rate for later stays or payments.
What happens if a host violates the District STR rules?
The District may investigate and impose administrative orders, escalating civil penalties, suspension, or revocation where authorized. The exact consequence depends on the violation and history.