| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — Certificate of registration required from the Nantucket Board of Health, plus state registry with MassTaxConnect. |
| Tax Rate | Combined state sales tax and local room occupancy excise taxes apply (approx. 11.7% to 14.45% depending on local surcharges). |
| Night / Day Cap | No nightly cap. |
| Minimum Stay | None (short-term defined as stays of 31 consecutive days or fewer). |
| Permit Fee | Annual Board of Health registration fees apply. Fines apply for late renewal. |
| Penalties | Operating an unregistered STR or violating zoning/occupancy guidelines results in fines of up to $300 per day per violation. |
| Primary Residence Required | No |
| Occupancy Limit | Strictly limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. |
Short-term rentals in Nantucket, 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 — Certificate of registration required from the Nantucket Board of Health, plus state registry with MassTaxConnect.. The associated permit fees are Annual Board of Health registration fees apply. Fines apply for late renewal..
Short-term rental operators in Nantucket should be aware of these tax obligations: Combined state sales tax and local room occupancy excise taxes apply (approx. 11.7% to 14.45% depending on local surcharges).. Yes — must register for state room occupancy excise tax..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Nantucket include: Primary residence requirement: No. Rental day cap: No nightly cap.. Occupancy limit: Strictly limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests.. Minimum stay: None (short-term defined as stays of 31 consecutive days or fewer)..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Nantucket: STRs codified into the municipal zoning code in late 2025. Corporate ownership (LLCs/corporations) is banned for new STR registrations to protect local housing stock; properties must be registered und. Density rules: Strict spacing or quotas do not apply, but safety, parking, and wastewater regulations limit unit capacity.. Insurance: Yes — $1,000,000 in general liability insurance is mandatory..
Hosts who fail to comply with Nantucket's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Operating an unregistered STR or violating zoning/occupancy guidelines results in fines of up to $300 per day per violation..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Nantucket: None formally active; operators must list their valid registration number on all listing advertisements..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Nantucket but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Must pass health and safety inspections. Mandatory designated local contact reachable 24/7. Waste disposal and parking rules must be posted.
Yes. Nantucket requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — Certificate of registration required from the Nantucket Board of Health, plus state registry with MassTaxConnect..
Short-term rental hosts in Nantucket are subject to the following tax obligations: Combined state sales tax and local room occupancy excise taxes apply (approx. 11.7% to 14.45% depending on local surcharges)..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Nantucket may face enforcement. Operating an unregistered STR or violating zoning/occupancy guidelines results in fines of up to $300 per day per violation..
A high-profile island vacation market. The late 2025 zoning updates formally legalized STRs while restricting new corporate-owned investment listings.
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