Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Newburyport, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Newburyport, MA, but with restrictions. STRUs are defined as rentals for fewer than 30 consecutive days and are allowed only under specific eligibility rules (owner-operator must be the owner and typically primary residence for ≥183 days/year or meet PIOD/investor provisions). Maximum of 3 bedrooms and 6 guests; operator may register only one STRU except within the Plum Island Overlay District; units must comply with Building, Fire, and Sanitary codes and post emergency exit diagrams, local contact, waste disposal instructions, and STRU license in-unit. Certain units (below-market-rate, in-law units, Smart Growth Overlay, some condominiums) are ineligible; investor units require state registry proof and some investor/investor-on-Plum Island cases require special permits. 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.

STRUs are defined as rentals for fewer than 30 consecutive days and are allowed only under specific eligibility rules (owner-operator must be the owner and typically primary residence for ≥183 days/year or meet PIOD/investor provisions). Maximum of 3 bedrooms and 6 guests; operator may register only one STRU except within the Plum Island Overlay District; units must comply with Building, Fire, and Sanitary codes and post emergency exit diagrams, local contact, waste disposal instructions, and STRU license in-unit. Certain units (below-market-rate, in-law units, Smart Growth Overlay, some condominiums) are ineligible; investor units require state registry proof and some investor/investor-on-Plum Island cases require special permits.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Newburyport. 1) Confirm eligibility and review the Short-Term Rental Unit Guide and applicable Zoning Ordinance (see Section V.G); 2) Submit the Short-Term Rental Unit License Application online via the City’s permitting portal, pay the $250 STRU license/registration fee and upload required documents (proof of primary residence, liability insurance, floor plans, condo affidavit if applicable, state lodging registration proof for investor units); 3) Schedule and pass required Building/Health/Fire inspections; upon satisfactory inspections the Licensing Commission issues a STRU License/Registration (typically valid one year).

1) Confirm eligibility and review the Short-Term Rental Unit Guide and applicable Zoning Ordinance (see Section V.G); 2) Submit the Short-Term Rental Unit License Application online via the City’s permitting portal, pay the $250 STRU license/registration fee and upload required documents (proof of primary residence, liability insurance, floor plans, condo affidavit if applicable, state lodging registration proof for investor units); 3) Schedule and pass required Building/Health/Fire inspections; upon satisfactory inspections the Licensing Commission issues a STRU License/Registration (typically valid one year).

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