Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Bristol County, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Bristol County, MA, but with restrictions. Operators must be the legal owner and primary resident for at least 9 months per year. Occupancy is limited to 8 guests or 2 per bedroom (whichever is fewer), and rentals are limited to one party at a time for no more than 30 consecutive days. A local contact must be available to respond in person within 2 hours. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Operators must be the legal owner and primary resident for at least 9 months per year. Occupancy is limited to 8 guests or 2 per bedroom (whichever is fewer), and rentals are limited to one party at a time for no more than 30 consecutive days. A local contact must be available to respond in person within 2 hours.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Bristol County. 1. Register the property with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue via MassTaxConnect. 2. Apply with the local Inspectional Services Division, providing proof of ownership (deed), primary residence (ID and utility bill), and a Fire Dept. Certificate of Compliance. 3. Pay the annual filing fee ($50 in Fall River) and notify all abutters within 30 days of registration.

1. Register the property with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue via MassTaxConnect. 2. Apply with the local Inspectional Services Division, providing proof of ownership (deed), primary residence (ID and utility bill), and a Fire Dept. Certificate of Compliance. 3. Pay the annual filing fee ($50 in Fall River) and notify all abutters within 30 days of registration.

Vrbo is permitted in Bristol County, MA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Bristol County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Bristol County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.