Quick answer: Bristol, Rhode Island adopted a short-term rental ordinance effective September 16, 2026. The rules limit rentals to 6 guests maximum, require owner on-site management, mandate registration with the state, and require a special use permit for properties renting more than 14 nights per calendar year. Existing registered rentals are exempt unless registration lapses for 365+ days.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Bristol, Rhode Island |
| What changed | New ordinance establishes 6-guest limit, on-site owner management requirement, state registration mandate, special use permit requirement for rentals over 14 nights annually, maximum 5 bedrooms per property, one off-street parking spot per bedroom, ban on event venue use, and exemption for occasional rentals (14 nights or fewer per year). Removed were prior requirements for $1 million insurance policy and public street-visible contact information posting. |
| Who it affects | Property owners and managers offering short-term rentals (defined as rentals of 31 consecutive days or less). Existing rentals registered with the State of Rhode Island as of September 16, 2026 are presumed legally non-conforming pre-existing uses and exempt from special use permit requirements unless registration lapses for over 365 days. |
| Status | Adopted |
| Effective date | September 16, 2026 |
| Penalties | Not reported |
| Governing body | Bristol Town Council |
What Changed
Bristol's Town Council unanimously passed a new short-term rental ordinance on September 16, 2026, following a year-long effort to address housing availability and affordability. According to www.eastbayri.com, the final version included two key amendments proposed by Council Chairman Nathan Calouro before the vote.
The Council removed a requirement that each rental carry a $1 million insurance policy, concluding that the Town would not have a direct interest in the amount of insurance carried by private short-term rental owners. The Council also amended a requirement that owner or manager contact information be posted visibly on the property, replacing it with a filing requirement that information be submitted to the Zoning Officer instead.
The ordinance defines a short-term rental as any building with one or more dwelling units or rooms rented for lodging for periods of 31 consecutive days or less.
Who Is Affected
The rules apply to all property owners and managers offering short-term rentals in Bristol. Existing rentals validly registered with the State of Rhode Island as of September 16, 2026 are presumed to be legally non-conforming pre-existing uses and are exempt from special use permit and resident-occupancy requirements, provided registration is renewed and does not lapse for more than 365 consecutive days.
Properties renting for 14 nights or fewer per calendar year are exempt from the special use permit requirement. Properties renting for more than 14 nights annually must obtain a special use permit, valid for three years and renewable.
What Hosts Should Do Now
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Verify state registration status. If your short-term rental was registered with the State of Rhode Island as of September 16, 2026, confirm that registration remains active and renew it before any lapse exceeds 365 consecutive days.
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Ensure compliance with guest and bedroom limits. Maximum 6 guests are allowed during any rental period, and no more than 5 bedrooms may be rented per property, lot, or parcel.
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Confirm on-site ownership or management. The owner or resident manager must reside on the same property, lot, or parcel during all short-term rental periods.
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File owner and manager contact information. Submit the DBR registration number, property address, and contact information for the owner or resident manager to the Zoning Officer.
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Contact the Community Development Department for guidance. Nick Toth at the town's Community Development Department is preparing FAQ and can help hosts navigate the new rules at 401/253-7000 x153 or ntoth@bristolri.gov.
The Bigger Picture
Councilman Tim Sweeney stated that he supported the ordinance because it would help protect Bristol's long-term housing supply while addressing parking, public safety, and neighborhood stability. Councilman Aaron Ley approved the exemption for occasional rentals being increased from seven nights to fourteen nights, noting that it allows additional flexibility for residents who wish to rent their homes during the Fourth of July period, while traveling, or at other times without becoming subject to full short-term rental regulations.
The ordinance also prohibits short-term rentals from being used or advertised as venues for events, parties, or functions, and requires one off-street parking spot per bedroom in addition to minimum parking already required for the building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special use permit for short-term rentals in Bristol, Rhode Island?
Yes, if you rent your property for more than 14 nights in a calendar year. Properties renting for 14 nights or fewer annually do not require a special use permit. Special use permits are valid for three years and may be renewed. However, short-term rentals validly registered with the State of Rhode Island as of September 16, 2026 are exempt from special use permit requirements unless registration lapses for more than 365 consecutive days.
How many guests can stay at a short-term rental in Bristol?
No more than 6 short-term renters, regardless of age, are allowed during any rental period, regardless of the number of dwelling units or rooms for sleeping in the building.
Do I have to live on the property if I want to rent it short-term in Bristol?
Yes. The owner responsible for managing the short-term rental must reside on the same property, lot, or parcel during the entire duration of any short-term rental.
When do Bristol's new short-term rental rules take effect?
The ordinance was adopted on September 16, 2026. Existing rentals registered with the State of Rhode Island as of that date are presumed to be legally non-conforming pre-existing uses and are currently exempt from special use permit requirements, provided registration remains active and is renewed before any lapse exceeds 365 consecutive days.
Can I rent out multiple properties as short-term rentals in Bristol?
No. Only one building on a lot or parcel of land shall be allowed a short-term rental use. Additionally, no more than 5 bedrooms shall be rented in total for short-term rentals per property, lot, or parcel.
Sources
- Bristol has new rules for short-term rentals, www.eastbayri.com
Check the current rules for your area in the LawfulStay directory.