Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Essex, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Essex, MA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are defined as rentals of 31 consecutive days or less. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are expressly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals. Owners are restricted to renting their property for no more than 180 days during any one-year period of their short-term rental license. 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 rentals are defined as rentals of 31 consecutive days or less. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are expressly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals. Owners are restricted to renting their property for no more than 180 days during any one-year period of their short-term rental license.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Essex.

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