Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Harwich, MA

Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are allowed in Harwich, MA, but operators must obtain a permit before listing. Rentals for 90 days or less must register with the Building Official. Registered units must conspicuously post a certificate of registration and a copy of the bylaw; occupancy is determined by the Building Official, and exceeding 200% of the registered occupancy is a punishable violation. "Airbnb" is a brand name; the rules on this page apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.). See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Rentals for 90 days or less must register with the Building Official. Registered units must conspicuously post a certificate of registration and a copy of the bylaw; occupancy is determined by the Building Official, and exceeding 200% of the registered occupancy is a punishable violation.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Harwich. 1. Access the Harwich OpenGov portal to apply for a Rental Density Registration. 2. Complete the registration for any unit offered for rent for 90 days or less. 3. Obtain and post the certificate of registration within the rental unit.

1. Access the Harwich OpenGov portal to apply for a Rental Density Registration. 2. Complete the registration for any unit offered for rent for 90 days or less. 3. Obtain and post the certificate of registration within the rental unit.

Yes. Vrbo operates under the same short-term rental rules as Airbnb in Harwich, MA, since regulations apply to the rental activity rather than the booking platform. A permit is required before you list on Vrbo or any other platform. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Harwich 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 Harwich. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.