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Mystic

Connecticut · United States
Active
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Mystic Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredYes
Tax RateConnecticut Room Occupancy Tax: 15% (11% for bed & breakfasts). Registration with CT Department of Revenue Services (DRS) required. Platforms like Air
Minimum StayCT defines STR as rental of furnished residential property for 30 consecutive calendar days or less for room occupancy tax purposes.
Permit FeeVaries by jurisdiction. Groton side: zoning permit required. Stonington side: no permit required after voters rejected proposed ordinance in March 202
PenaltiesStonington (prior draft ordinance): civil fines up to $250 per violation (per CGS § 7-152c), with permit suspension for up to 30 days to correct viola
Occupancy LimitIn Stonington, maximum occupancy information must be made available at the STR and provided to renters in writing; children under 12 excluded from max
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Mystic Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Mystic Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Mystic, Connecticut are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Varies by jurisdiction. Groton side: zoning permit required. Stonington side: no permit required aft.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Mystic

Short-term rental operators in Mystic should be aware of these tax obligations: Connecticut Room Occupancy Tax: 15% (11% for bed & breakfasts). Registration with CT Department of Revenue Services (DRS) required. Platforms like Airbnb/VRBO collect and remit to state; host registration still recommended..

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Mystic

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Mystic include: Occupancy limit: In Stonington, maximum occupancy information must be made available at the STR and provided to renters in writing; child. Minimum stay: CT defines STR as rental of furnished residential property for 30 consecutive calendar days or less for room occupancy t.

Zoning and Location Requirements in Mystic

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Mystic: Mystic straddles two separate Connecticut municipalities — the Town of Groton and the Town of Stonington — each with its own regulations. (1) Groton: STR zoning regulations effective May 15, 2024; zon. Density rules: None confirmed for either Groton or Stonington from official sources..

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Mystic

Hosts who fail to comply with Mystic's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Stonington (prior draft ordinance): civil fines up to $250 per violation (per CGS § 7-152c), with permit suspension for up to 30 days to correct violations and potential permit revocation. Groton: pen.

Platform Obligations in Mystic

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Mystic: Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) collect and remit Connecticut Room Occupancy Tax (15%) on behalf of hosts. Host registration with CT DRS is still recommended for compliance tracking..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
Yes
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
Varies by jurisdiction. Groton side: zoning permit required. Stonington side: no permit required after voters rejected proposed ordinance in March 2023. CT state room occupancy tax registration required for all STR operators.
Occupancy Limit
In Stonington, maximum occupancy information must be made available at the STR and provided to renters in writing; children under 12 excluded from max occupancy calculation. Fire Marshal may confirm and inspect. Groton side: zoning permit standards apply.
Tax Rate
Connecticut Room Occupancy Tax: 15% (11% for bed & breakfasts). Registration with CT Department of Revenue Services (DRS) required. Platforms like Airbnb/VRBO collect and remit to state; host registration still recommended.
Zoning Restrictions
Mystic straddles two separate Connecticut municipalities — the Town of Groton and the Town of Stonington — each with its own regulations. (1) Groton: STR zoning regulations effective May 15, 2024; zoning permit required from Groton Planning and Development Services. (2) Stonington: Voters rejected the proposed STR ordinance at Town Meeting (February/March 2023). As a result, Stonington has no town-specific STR permit or registration requirement, though CT state taxes still apply.
Minimum Stay
CT defines STR as rental of furnished residential property for 30 consecutive calendar days or less for room occupancy tax purposes.
Density Rules
None confirmed for either Groton or Stonington from official sources.
Platform Obligations
Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) collect and remit Connecticut Room Occupancy Tax (15%) on behalf of hosts. Host registration with CT DRS is still recommended for compliance tracking.
Compliance Notes
Mystic is not a single municipality — it is a village straddling the towns of Groton and Stonington. (1) Groton side: STR zoning permit required (effective May 15, 2024) from Groton Planning and Development Services. (2) Stonington side: No town-specific permit required after voters rejected a proposed ordinance in March 2023. Stonington's ordinance had proposed primary residence requirements for new buyers. For all CT STRs: 15% room occupancy tax applies; DRS registration recommended. Stonington retains the right to refer nuisance/safety issues to relevant enforcement agents (police, fire, zoning, building, health).
Effective Date
2024-05-15
Key Notes
The key compliance factor for Mystic is determining whether the property is in Groton or Stonington — the Mystic River roughly divides the two towns. Check property tax bills to confirm the taxing municipality. Groton implemented STR zoning rules in May 2024; Stonington rejected an STR ordinance in early 2023 and currently has no local STR permit requirements. All operators in CT owe the 15% Room Occupancy Tax regardless of which side. Connecticut municipalities have limited authority to regulate STRs based on length of stay without specific state statutory delegation.
Penalties
Stonington (prior draft ordinance): civil fines up to $250 per violation (per CGS § 7-152c), with permit suspension for up to 30 days to correct violations and potential permit revocation. Groton: penalties per zoning ordinance — verify with Groton Planning Dept. CT DRS penalties for failure to collect/remit Room Occupancy Tax also apply.
Additional Context
Connecticut municipalities have only those powers expressly delegated by the General Assembly, which has created legal questions about STR regulation authority. The Stonington proposed ordinance had a primary residence requirement for new property purchasers (grandfathering pre-ordinance owners) and permit transferability provisions — but this was rejected by voters. The CT General Assembly's 2024 report (OLR 2024-R-0044) reviewed municipal STR regulation across CT.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Mystic?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Mystic with proper registration and permits. Mystic is not a single municipality — it is a village straddling the towns of Groton and Stonington. (1) Groton side: STR zoning permit required (effective May 15, 2024) from Groton Planning and Devel

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Mystic?

Yes. Mystic requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Mystic?

Short-term rental hosts in Mystic are subject to the following tax obligations: Connecticut Room Occupancy Tax: 15% (11% for bed & breakfasts). Registration with CT Department of Revenue Services (DRS) required. Platforms like Airbnb/VRBO collect and remit to state; host registration still recommended..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Mystic?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Mystic may face enforcement. Stonington (prior draft ordinance): civil fines up to $250 per violation (per CGS § 7-152c), with permit suspension for up to 30 days to correct violations and potential permit revocation. Groton: penalties per zoning ordinance — verify with Groton P.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Mystic?

The key compliance factor for Mystic is determining whether the property is in Groton or Stonington — the Mystic River roughly divides the two towns. Check property tax bills to confirm the taxing municipality. Groton implemented STR zoning rules in May 2024; Stonington rejected an STR ordinance in early 2023 and currently has no local STR permit requirements. All operators in CT owe the 15% Room

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