| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Massachusetts state Room Occupancy Excise Tax: 5.7% state. Plymouth local room occupancy excise tax: up to 6% (local option). Community Impact Fee: up |
| Night / Day Cap | No explicit annual day cap confirmed. Room occupancy excise tax applies to rentals of 90 days or less. If rented 14 days or less per calendar year, no |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum stay specified beyond standard STR definition (advance reservation-based rental). Room occupancy tax applies to stays under 90 days. |
| Permit Fee | Short-Term Rental Permit required (effective Jan 1, 2024) — specific permit fee not confirmed in official source; verify current fee at plymouth-ma.go |
| Penalties | Fines, inspections, and enforcement per Plymouth Town Bylaws and Massachusetts General Laws. Specific penalty amounts not codified in publicly availab |
| Primary Residence Required | Conditional — ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) cannot be used for STRs, and either the main house or ADU must be owner-occupied. For standalone single- |
| Occupancy Limit | Not explicitly stated in official Plymouth STR pages found. Must comply with MA State Building and Sanitary Codes. Lead paint compliance required (105 |
Short-term rental operations in Plymouth, Massachusetts 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 Short-Term Rental Permit required (effective Jan 1, 2024) — specific permit fee not confirmed in off.
Short-term rental operators in Plymouth should be aware of these tax obligations: Massachusetts state Room Occupancy Excise Tax: 5.7% state. Plymouth local room occupancy excise tax: up to 6% (local option). Community Impact Fee: up to 3% for multi-property operators or owner-occupied 2–3 family homes. Total potential rate: up to .
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Plymouth include: Primary residence requirement: Conditional — ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) cannot be used for STRs, and either the main house or ADU must be owner-oc. Rental day cap: No explicit annual day cap confirmed. Room occupancy excise tax applies to rentals of 90 days or less. If rented 14 days. Occupancy limit: Not explicitly stated in official Plymouth STR pages found. Must comply with MA State Building and Sanitary Codes. Lead . Minimum stay: No minimum stay specified beyond standard STR definition (advance reservation-based rental). Room occupancy tax applies .
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Plymouth: ADUs cannot be used as STRs (per 2024 Annual Town Meeting Article/Bylaw). Condos and townhomes are not considered single-family homes for ADU/STR purposes. Single-family and eligible residential prope. Density rules: No explicit density cap found in official sources. Only one ADU per lot permitted, and ADUs are prohibited from STR use.. Insurance: Not explicitly required by Plymouth ordinance. Smoke detectors required on each floor; carbon monoxi.
Hosts who fail to comply with Plymouth's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Fines, inspections, and enforcement per Plymouth Town Bylaws and Massachusetts General Laws. Specific penalty amounts not codified in publicly available sources found — verify at plymouth-ma.gov/545 o.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Plymouth: Platforms (intermediaries) collecting rent must file returns and pay room occupancy taxes to DOR as of July 1, 2019 (Massachusetts state law). Plymouth Community Impact Fee collected via same mechanis.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Plymouth with proper registration and permits. Plymouth implemented a mandatory STR permit registration system effective January 1, 2024. Prior to this, STR activity was subject to Massachusetts state room occupancy tax law only. Good Neighbor Gui
Yes. Plymouth requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Plymouth are subject to the following tax obligations: Massachusetts state Room Occupancy Excise Tax: 5.7% state. Plymouth local room occupancy excise tax: up to 6% (local option). Community Impact Fee: up to 3% for multi-property operators or owner-occupied 2–3 family homes. Total potential rate: up to ~14.7% (5.7% state + 6% local + 3% community impac.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Plymouth may face enforcement. Fines, inspections, and enforcement per Plymouth Town Bylaws and Massachusetts General Laws. Specific penalty amounts not codified in publicly available sources found — verify at plymouth-ma.gov/545 or Town Clerk..
Plymouth is a historic and high-tourism destination with a thriving STR market. The town's STR framework is relatively permissive compared to Cambridge or Salem, with no primary residence requirement for most single-family home STRs. The key restrictions are the ADU STR ban and mandatory permit registration since 2024. ADU owners must ensure either the main house or ADU is owner-occupied.
LawfulStay tracks STR regulations across 1,026+ cities & countries on 6 continents, updated daily.
View in Full Database →