Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Dartmouth, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Dartmouth, MA, but with restrictions. Short-term lodging (lodging houses/bed-and-breakfasts) is restricted to owner-occupied dwellings and requires a Planning Board Special Permit. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and associated single-family residences are strictly prohibited from being used for short-term rentals. Requirements include adequate off-street parking, maintaining a single-family appearance, and Board of Health confirmation for water and septic capacity. 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.

Short-term lodging (lodging houses/bed-and-breakfasts) is restricted to owner-occupied dwellings and requires a Planning Board Special Permit. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and associated single-family residences are strictly prohibited from being used for short-term rentals. Requirements include adequate off-street parking, maintaining a single-family appearance, and Board of Health confirmation for water and septic capacity.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Dartmouth. (1) Submit a Special Permit application through the Town's online permitting portal and provide physical copies of plans and a list of 'Parties in Interest' to the Planning Department. (2) Pay the $250 filing fee plus advertising/notification costs (and a potential $1,000 consultant fee deposit if required). (3) Complete interdepartmental reviews, including Board of Health confirmation for water/septic, and attend a public hearing for Planning Board approval.

(1) Submit a Special Permit application through the Town's online permitting portal and provide physical copies of plans and a list of 'Parties in Interest' to the Planning Department. (2) Pay the $250 filing fee plus advertising/notification costs (and a potential $1,000 consultant fee deposit if required). (3) Complete interdepartmental reviews, including Board of Health confirmation for water/septic, and attend a public hearing for Planning Board approval.

Vrbo is permitted in Dartmouth, 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 Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.