Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Fairhaven, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Fairhaven, MA, but with restrictions. STRs are limited to one- or two-family or multifamily dwellings (excluding accessory buildings) with a town-wide cap of 120 active registrations. Requirements include one on-site parking space per bedroom, a minimum rental duration of 20 hours, and a maximum occupancy of two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests. 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.

STRs are limited to one- or two-family or multifamily dwellings (excluding accessory buildings) with a town-wide cap of 120 active registrations. Requirements include one on-site parking space per bedroom, a minimum rental duration of 20 hours, and a maximum occupancy of two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Fairhaven. 1. Submit a registration application to the Fairhaven Building Department including proof of registration with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. 2. For initial applications, notify all abutters within 300 feet and provide proof of notification to the Town. 3. Pay the $200 fee and pass a mandatory safety inspection by the Building Commissioner or Fire/Health Departments; registrations must be renewed annually by December 31.

1. Submit a registration application to the Fairhaven Building Department including proof of registration with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. 2. For initial applications, notify all abutters within 300 feet and provide proof of notification to the Town. 3. Pay the $200 fee and pass a mandatory safety inspection by the Building Commissioner or Fire/Health Departments; registrations must be renewed annually by December 31.

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