Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Jamaica Plain, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Jamaica Plain, MA, but with restrictions. STRs are limited to owner-occupied primary residences (occupied 9 of 12 months) or owner-adjacent units in 2-3 family buildings. Operators may only offer one whole-unit listing at a time. Units must be free of outstanding building, sanitary, or fire violations and cannot be income-restricted or designated as 'Problem Properties.' 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 owner-occupied primary residences (occupied 9 of 12 months) or owner-adjacent units in 2-3 family buildings. Operators may only offer one whole-unit listing at a time. Units must be free of outstanding building, sanitary, or fire violations and cannot be income-restricted or designated as 'Problem Properties.'

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Jamaica Plain. 1) Register online via the City’s Short-Term Rental portal, providing operator details and unit type (Limited Share, Home Share, or Owner-Adjacent). 2) Pay the annual fee ($25 for Limited Share; $200 for Home Share/Owner-Adjacent) to receive a registration number. 3) Obtain a City Clerk business certificate and notify abutters within 300 feet within 30 days of registration.

1) Register online via the City’s Short-Term Rental portal, providing operator details and unit type (Limited Share, Home Share, or Owner-Adjacent). 2) Pay the annual fee ($25 for Limited Share; $200 for Home Share/Owner-Adjacent) to receive a registration number. 3) Obtain a City Clerk business certificate and notify abutters within 300 feet within 30 days of registration.

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