Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Gloucester, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Gloucester, MA, but with restrictions. Short-Term Rentals (30 days or less) are governed by City Ordinance Section 5-63 and Board of Health regulations. The city distinguishes between Primary, Shared, and Non-Primary units, requiring proof of ownership for all and proof of primary residency for Primary/Shared units. Operators must maintain an on-site information binder, comply with safety standards (alarms, egress), and adhere to state sanitary codes and local wastewater rules. 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 (30 days or less) are governed by City Ordinance Section 5-63 and Board of Health regulations. The city distinguishes between Primary, Shared, and Non-Primary units, requiring proof of ownership for all and proof of primary residency for Primary/Shared units. Operators must maintain an on-site information binder, comply with safety standards (alarms, egress), and adhere to state sanitary codes and local wastewater rules.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Gloucester. 1) Apply online via Gloucester’s OpenGov permitting portal for a Short-Term Rental Permit. 2) Submit required documentation including proof of ownership and, if applicable, proof of primary residency. 3) Pay the annual fee (Primary $150, Shared $100, Non-Primary $300) and ensure all municipal bills (water, sewer, tax) are paid to receive the annual permit.

1) Apply online via Gloucester’s OpenGov permitting portal for a Short-Term Rental Permit. 2) Submit required documentation including proof of ownership and, if applicable, proof of primary residency. 3) Pay the annual fee (Primary $150, Shared $100, Non-Primary $300) and ensure all municipal bills (water, sewer, tax) are paid to receive the annual permit.

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