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HomeShort-Term Rental LawsMassachusettsBostonSTR Registration

Before you list

Boston STR Registration: Step-by-Step

Prepare the Boston STR Registration: eligibility, documents, fees, application steps, verification, and renewal.

  • Property eligibility
  • Official sources
  • You control every submission

Approval path

One Property, One Ordered Path from Requirements to Renewal.

Confirm the Property

Verify the address, jurisdiction, property type, eligibility rules, and private restrictions.

Prepare 7 Readiness Checks

Bring the host, ownership, residence, tax, insurance, and supporting records into one file.

Follow 4 Ordered Stages

Work through the government sequence, then retain the submitted record and confirmation.

Verify and Maintain

Confirm the issued approval, publish required details, and track taxes, changes, and renewal.

What You Will Complete

The goal is an active Boston Short-Term Rental Registration tied to the correct operator, property, tax accounts, and listing information.

Boston short-term rentals must fit an eligible owner-occupied unit category and complete City registration. For Boston STR Registration application, apply this page-specific condition: The operator must use the dwelling as a primary residence, generally living there for at least nine of the previous or next 12 months, and meet the selected unit-category rules. The operator must use the dwelling as a primary residence, generally living there for at least nine of the previous or next 12 months, and meet the selected unit-category rules.

Register before offering eligible stays of fewer than 28 days. For Boston STR Registration application, apply this page-specific condition: The operator must use the dwelling as a primary residence, generally living there for at least nine of the previous or next 12 months, and meet the selected unit-category rules. The operator must use the dwelling as a primary residence, generally living there for at least nine of the previous or next 12 months, and meet the selected unit-category rules.

Before You Apply

  • Confirm jurisdiction and eligibility

    Match the street address to Boston authority and confirm the property class can use Boston Short-Term Rental Registration. If either the boundary or eligible-use result differs, stop before opening the application.

    Required

  • Resolve the residence rule

    The operator must use the dwelling as a primary residence, generally living there for at least nine of the previous or next 12 months, and meet the selected unit-category rules. Save the records that prove this classification; if the operator or dwelling cannot meet it, choose a lawful rental path before paying a fee.

    Required

  • Government-issued identification and operator contact information

    Use a current government-issued identification and operator contact information record that matches the applicant and rental property.

    Required

  • At least two accepted primary-residence records

    Use a current at least two accepted primary-residence records record that matches the applicant and rental property.

    Required

  • Ownership or tenancy records and owner authorization when an agent applies

    Use a current ownership or tenancy records and owner authorization when an agent applies record that matches the applicant and rental property.

    Required

  • Home-share, limited-share, or owner-adjacent category evidence

    Use a current home-share, limited-share, or owner-adjacent category evidence record that matches the applicant and rental property.

    Required

  • MassTaxConnect registration and City business-certificate records

    Use a current masstaxconnect registration and city business-certificate records record that matches the applicant and rental property.

    Required

Application Steps

Complete the process through the official Boston Short-Term Rental Registration.

  1. Step 1: Select the eligible unit category

    Confirm home-share, limited-share, or owner-adjacent eligibility. Success means the address and operator qualify for Boston Short-Term Rental Registration under Boston authority. Apply this local screen: The operator must use the dwelling as a primary residence, generally living there for at least nine of the previous or next 12 months, and meet the selected unit-category rules. If the boundary or property class does not match, stop and resolve eligibility before paying.

  2. Step 2: Prepare residence and unit records

    Gather identity, primary-residence, ownership or tenancy, and tax information. For Boston STR Registration application, apply this page-specific condition: Register before offering eligible stays of fewer than 28 days. Limited Share registration is $25 per year. Home Share and Owner-Adjacent registration are each $200 per year. Success means the address and operator qualify for Boston Short-Term Rental Registration under Boston authority. Apply this local screen: The operator must use the dwelling as a primary residence, generally living there for at least nine of the previous or next 12 months, and meet the selected unit-category rules. If the boundary or property class does not match, stop and resolve eligibility before paying.

  3. Step 3: Submit online registration

    Complete the City portal application for the exact property and category. For Boston STR Registration application, apply this page-specific condition: Register before offering eligible stays of fewer than 28 days. Limited Share registration is $25 per year. Home Share and Owner-Adjacent registration are each $200 per year. Success means the official portal accepts the complete Boston Short-Term Rental Registration submission and returns a property-specific reference number. Resolve any incomplete checklist or payment error before creating another filing.

    Choose Apply for a Registration to begin a new short-term-rental filing.
    Enter and search the rental property's street address to select the business-license location.
    Sign in or create an online account before starting the registration application.
    Select the short-term-rental registration category and applicant type in the application.
    Confirm the applicant information before continuing. Names and addresses shown are example application data.
    Add any required contacts, or continue when no additional contact applies.
    Complete the property type and listing category fields and make the required attestation.
    Upload each required supporting document with a clear file description before reviewing the application.

  4. Step 4: Verify and publish the number

    Wait for active registration and add the number to every listing. For Boston STR Registration application, apply this page-specific condition: Register before offering eligible stays of fewer than 28 days. Limited Share registration is $25 per year. Home Share and Owner-Adjacent registration are each $200 per year. Success means Boston Short-Term Rental Registration is active, the listing shows the required number, and the next Boston deadline is calendared. Registration must be renewed annually. Correct an inactive status, mismatched number, or expired date before the listing is bookable.

Verify the Result

  • Confirm government status is active

    Success means the issuing record shows Boston Short-Term Rental Registration as active for the exact property and operator. A receipt, draft, correction notice, or pending status is not approval; resolve it with Boston authority before accepting a stay.

    Required

  • Check the listing number and property

    Match the issued number, address, unit, operator, and expiration to every Boston listing. Correct a missing number or property mismatch before the listing is made bookable.

    Required

  • Calendar filing and renewal

    Register with MassTaxConnect and confirm marketplace versus operator filing responsibilities. Renew annually and keep tax, residency, and property records current.

    Required

Common Causes of Delay or Denial

  • Wrong jurisdiction or property category

    A Boston STR Registration application filing belongs only in Boston authority's program and the eligible property class for Boston Short-Term Rental Registration. If the address, zoning/use result, or approval category differs, correct that decision before resubmitting.

  • Applicant and property records do not match

    Reconcile the applicant name, street and unit, ownership or tenancy record, tax account, and portal profile used for Boston Short-Term Rental Registration. Fix the source record that is wrong instead of uploading another conflicting copy.

  • Missing inspection, insurance, or notice

    Inspectional Services verifies property eligibility and may verify housing, building, sanitary, and fire-code compliance. Maintain at least $1,000,000 of liability coverage for the property, whether through a qualifying platform policy or separate insurance. Notify residential abutters within 300 feet within 30 days after registration is issued and keep a local contact able to respond in person within two hours.

More verified guidance

Related Application Guides

Continue with the related permit, registration, tax, and operating-rule guides for this location.

Boston Room Occupancy Tax Guide (2026)

Set up Boston short-term rental tax accounts, booking-channel responsibilities, filing, payment, and records.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Register before offering eligible stays of fewer than 28 days. The Boston STR Registration application answer also depends on this local rule: The 5.7% Massachusetts room occupancy excise, Boston local option excise, 2.75% convention center financing fee, and an applicable community impact fee can apply. The 5.7% Massachusetts room occupancy excise, Boston local option excise, 2.75% convention center financing fee, and an applicable community impact fee can apply.

Limited Share registration is $25 per year. Home Share and Owner-Adjacent registration are each $200 per year. The Boston STR Registration application answer also depends on this local rule: The 5.7% Massachusetts room occupancy excise, Boston local option excise, 2.75% convention center financing fee, and an applicable community impact fee can apply. The 5.7% Massachusetts room occupancy excise, Boston local option excise, 2.75% convention center financing fee, and an applicable community impact fee can apply.

Registration must be renewed annually. Renew annually and keep tax, residency, and property records current.