| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Massachusetts state Room Occupancy Excise Tax: 5.7% state + up to 6% local option. Cambridge imposes the local option. Operators must register with Ma |
| Night / Day Cap | No explicit annual day cap, but STR is defined as rental of less than 30 consecutive days (proposed 2025 amendment reduces threshold to 28 days). Only |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum stay specified (STR defined as under 30 consecutive days; proposed 2025 amendment: under 28 days). |
| Permit Fee | Certificate of Registration: $500 one-time fee (or $100/year over 5 years on payment plan). Business Certificate required per Massachusetts General La |
| Penalties | Operating without a Certificate of Registration subjects operator to enforcement by the Inspectional Services Department. Specific fine amounts not pu |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes |
| Occupancy Limit | Up to 3 individual bedrooms for operator-occupied STRs; 1 dwelling unit for owner-adjacent STRs. Must comply with all State Building and Sanitary Code |
Short-term rentals in Cambridge, Massachusetts are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Certificate of Registration: $500 one-time fee (or $100/year over 5 years on payment plan). Business.
Short-term rental operators in Cambridge should be aware of these tax obligations: Massachusetts state Room Occupancy Excise Tax: 5.7% state + up to 6% local option. Cambridge imposes the local option. Operators must register with Massachusetts DOR via MassTaxConnect. Platforms like Airbnb typically collect and remit on behalf of h.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Cambridge include: Primary residence requirement: Yes. Rental day cap: No explicit annual day cap, but STR is defined as rental of less than 30 consecutive days (proposed 2025 amendment reduc. Occupancy limit: Up to 3 individual bedrooms for operator-occupied STRs; 1 dwelling unit for owner-adjacent STRs. Must comply with all St. Minimum stay: No minimum stay specified (STR defined as under 30 consecutive days; proposed 2025 amendment: under 28 days)..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Cambridge: STRs permitted as an accessory residential use in all districts where residential use is allowed, per Zoning Ordinance Section 4.60. Must not be used as a principal transient accommodation. Building m. Density rules: No density cap per se, but structural limits apply: operator-occupied limited to 3 bedrooms; owner-adjacent limited to 1 adjacent unit. No investor/no. Insurance: Not explicitly required by ordinance, but Business Certificate and full building code compliance man.
Hosts who fail to comply with Cambridge's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Operating without a Certificate of Registration subjects operator to enforcement by the Inspectional Services Department. Specific fine amounts not publicly codified in search results — verify with IS.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Cambridge: Platforms must only list registered STRs. Certificate of registration number must be available. Statement of Responsibility Form required from operator. Business Certificate (Mass. General Law) requir.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Cambridge but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Cambridge has one of the most restrictive STR frameworks in Massachusetts — only owner-occupied or owner-adjacent configurations are legal. No investor-owned whole-home STRs permitted. A 2025 proposed
Yes. Cambridge requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Cambridge are subject to the following tax obligations: Massachusetts state Room Occupancy Excise Tax: 5.7% state + up to 6% local option. Cambridge imposes the local option. Operators must register with Massachusetts DOR via MassTaxConnect. Platforms like Airbnb typically collect and remit on behalf of hosts..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Cambridge may face enforcement. Operating without a Certificate of Registration subjects operator to enforcement by the Inspectional Services Department. Specific fine amounts not publicly codified in search results — verify with ISD..
Primary residence requirement must be proven by: (1) enrollment in Cambridge residential tax exemption program, OR (2) affidavit with photo ID, property title/tenancy agreement, and government/utility correspondence within last 3 months. No whole-home investor rentals. Non-owner STRs are prohibited.
LawfulStay tracks STR regulations across 1,026+ cities & countries on 6 continents, updated daily.
View in Full Database →