Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Swampscott, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Swampscott, MA, but with restrictions. Travel and Tourist Lodging Establishments (hotels, motels, inns, bed & breakfasts) are permitted only within the Tourist Lodging Overlay District (TLOD) via Special Permit; stays are limited to 1-30 nights, guests cannot claim residency, on-site management is required at all times, and independent in-room cooking facilities are prohibited. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are strictly prohibited from being used or offered for short-term rentals (less than 30 days). 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.

Travel and Tourist Lodging Establishments (hotels, motels, inns, bed & breakfasts) are permitted only within the Tourist Lodging Overlay District (TLOD) via Special Permit; stays are limited to 1-30 nights, guests cannot claim residency, on-site management is required at all times, and independent in-room cooking facilities are prohibited. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are strictly prohibited from being used or offered for short-term rentals (less than 30 days).

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Swampscott. 1) Apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Special Permit (Section 5.3) including a site plan and required copies for the Planning Board and Town Clerk. 2) Pay administrative/technical review fees and satisfy Special Permit criteria and site plan conditions. 3) Obtain necessary building permits from the Building Commissioner and comply with annual inspection requirements.

1) Apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Special Permit (Section 5.3) including a site plan and required copies for the Planning Board and Town Clerk. 2) Pay administrative/technical review fees and satisfy Special Permit criteria and site plan conditions. 3) Obtain necessary building permits from the Building Commissioner and comply with annual inspection requirements.

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