Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Oak Bluffs, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Oak Bluffs, MA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are defined as stays with changes in occupancy of 31 days or less and ADUs are explicitly prohibited from being used as STRs; the town’s draft bylaw adds residency/single-property and 30-day occupancy restrictions for new owners (with limited grandfathering/exemptions for pre-existing operators). STRs are to be registered with the Town and must also be registered with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. 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 are defined as stays with changes in occupancy of 31 days or less and ADUs are explicitly prohibited from being used as STRs; the town’s draft bylaw adds residency/single-property and 30-day occupancy restrictions for new owners (with limited grandfathering/exemptions for pre-existing operators). STRs are to be registered with the Town and must also be registered with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Oak Bluffs. 1) Complete the Town STR registration form and submit it before offering the property for rent; include the Commonwealth DOR STR registration certificate. 2) Pay the non-refundable town registration fee set in the draft (draft shows $850), submit at least 30 days before the rental period, and renew annually; the town registration is non-transferable and a new registration is required on change of owner.

1) Complete the Town STR registration form and submit it before offering the property for rent; include the Commonwealth DOR STR registration certificate. 2) Pay the non-refundable town registration fee set in the draft (draft shows $850), submit at least 30 days before the rental period, and renew annually; the town registration is non-transferable and a new registration is required on change of owner.

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