Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Fall River, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Fall River, MA, but with restrictions. Operators must reside in the rented dwelling at least nine (9) months per calendar year; STRs limited to one party at a time and a maximum of eight (8) guests or two (2) guests per bedroom (whichever is fewer); units in single-family residence zoning districts, income-restricted units, non-primary residences, units with outstanding violations, or units barred by condo/HOA rules are ineligible. Operators must post house rules, give annual notice to abutters, and comply with smoke/CO and other safety codes. 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 reside in the rented dwelling at least nine (9) months per calendar year; STRs limited to one party at a time and a maximum of eight (8) guests or two (2) guests per bedroom (whichever is fewer); units in single-family residence zoning districts, income-restricted units, non-primary residences, units with outstanding violations, or units barred by condo/HOA rules are ineligible. Operators must post house rules, give annual notice to abutters, and comply with smoke/CO and other safety codes.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Fall River. 1) Register the property with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue on MassTaxConnect and obtain the State Certificate; 2) Annually register the Short-Term Rental with the City of Fall River Inspectional Services prior to occupancy by submitting: the DOR Certificate of Registration, proof of ownership (deed), proof of primary residence (driver’s license/state ID plus utility bill or voter registration), a Fall River Fire Department Certificate of Compliance for smoke/CO, a signed Affidavit of Operator, and pay the $50 annual filing fee.

1) Register the property with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue on MassTaxConnect and obtain the State Certificate; 2) Annually register the Short-Term Rental with the City of Fall River Inspectional Services prior to occupancy by submitting: the DOR Certificate of Registration, proof of ownership (deed), proof of primary residence (driver’s license/state ID plus utility bill or voter registration), a Fall River Fire Department Certificate of Compliance for smoke/CO, a signed Affidavit of Operator, and pay the $50 annual filing fee.

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