| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Proposed / pending |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — annual license from DLCP still required; new categories added for renters and second-home owners during special events |
| Night / Day Cap | 90-night annual cap would be temporarily lifted during mayor-designated special events under new 'special event' license category |
| Penalties | Existing DC STR violations: fines apply under existing DLCP enforcement; penalty schedule not changed by proposed amendment |
| Primary Residence Required | Proposed: no longer strictly required during designated special event periods; second-home owners eligible for event-period licenses |
Short-term rental regulations in Washington D.C., District of Columbia are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — annual license from DLCP still required; new categories added for renters and second-home owners during special events.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Washington D.C. include: Primary residence requirement: Proposed: no longer strictly required during designated special event periods; second-home owners eligible for event-per. Rental day cap: 90-night annual cap would be temporarily lifted during mayor-designated special events under new 'special event' license.
Hosts who fail to comply with Washington D.C.'s short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Existing DC STR violations: fines apply under existing DLCP enforcement; penalty schedule not changed by proposed amendment.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Short-term rental regulations in Washington D.C. are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. Mayor Bowser introduced the STR Regulation Amendment Act of 2026 on March 13, 2026, proposing significant liberalization of DC's STR rules ahead of major events. The bill would allow renters (with lan
Yes. Washington D.C. requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — annual license from DLCP still required; new categories added for renters and second-home owners during special events.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Washington D.C. may face enforcement. Existing DC STR violations: fines apply under existing DLCP enforcement; penalty schedule not changed by proposed amendment.
• Renters would be able to host STRs for the first time, provided they have written permission from their landlord. • Second-home owners would qualify for an STR license for the first time. • A new 'special event' license temporarily suspends the 90-night cap during Mayor-designated events. • The bill consolidates existing license categories and updates operational definitions — but has not yet pa
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