Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Worcester, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Worcester, MA, but with restrictions. All rental properties, regardless of the duration of the rental period, must be registered with the City. Owners must provide up-to-date contact information for themselves and a property manager. Properties are subject to mandatory inspections every five years to ensure compliance with health and safety codes. 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.

All rental properties, regardless of the duration of the rental period, must be registered with the City. Owners must provide up-to-date contact information for themselves and a property manager. Properties are subject to mandatory inspections every five years to ensure compliance with health and safety codes.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Worcester. 1. Register the rental unit online via the City of Worcester's rental registry portal or in person at the Department of Inspectional Services ($15 initial fee). 2. Schedule and pass a safety inspection, required once every five years ($50 fee). 3. Renew the registration annually ($5 renewal fee).

1. Register the rental unit online via the City of Worcester's rental registry portal or in person at the Department of Inspectional Services ($15 initial fee). 2. Schedule and pass a safety inspection, required once every five years ($50 fee). 3. Renew the registration annually ($5 renewal fee).

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