Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Hampton, NH

Airbnb listings are allowed in Hampton, NH, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are permitted only in dwellings located within the Town’s Short-Term Rental Overlay District (and may be allowed outside the overlay only by Special Exception from the Zoning Board). Properties must hold and comply with a Certificate of Rental Occupancy; required safety measures include interconnected smoke and CO alarms, a posted emergency action plan, a portable fire extinguisher, trash/recycling instructions for renters, and prohibitions on outdoor wood burning. The ordinance limits maximum tenant occupancy and includes trash/parking and nuisance compliance requirements (Adopted March 2023). 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 permitted only in dwellings located within the Town’s Short-Term Rental Overlay District (and may be allowed outside the overlay only by Special Exception from the Zoning Board). Properties must hold and comply with a Certificate of Rental Occupancy; required safety measures include interconnected smoke and CO alarms, a posted emergency action plan, a portable fire extinguisher, trash/recycling instructions for renters, and prohibitions on outdoor wood burning. The ordinance limits maximum tenant occupancy and includes trash/parking and nuisance compliance requirements (Adopted March 2023).

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Hampton. 1) File the joint application form with the Hampton Building Department (request CRO). 2) Undergo on-site inspection(s) by the Building Department and the Fire Department to verify compliance with life-safety and ordinance standards. 3) If approved, a Certificate of Rental Occupancy will issue for five years and must be renewed via a new inspection for subsequent five-year terms (CROs are not transferable to new owners or locations).

1) File the joint application form with the Hampton Building Department (request CRO). 2) Undergo on-site inspection(s) by the Building Department and the Fire Department to verify compliance with life-safety and ordinance standards. 3) If approved, a Certificate of Rental Occupancy will issue for five years and must be renewed via a new inspection for subsequent five-year terms (CROs are not transferable to new owners or locations).

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