Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Washington, DC?

**Yes**, Washington DC requires a Short-Term Rental Business License to operate legally. You need to apply for a biennial license through the DLCP (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection), which costs $104.50. This license is essential for compliance with local regulations. Operating without a license can result in fines. *(51 words)*

What is the TOT tax rate in Washington, DC?

**15.95% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Washington, DC. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Note that Airbnb and VRBO may automatically collect a portion of this tax in certain jurisdictions. Be sure to verify. *(53 words)*

Are short-term rentals allowed in Washington, DC?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in Washington, DC, but with restrictions. You must live in the home as your primary residence and have a Homestead Deduction. Unhosted rentals are capped at 90 days per calendar year. Hosted rentals, where the owner is present, have no annual night limit. *(53 words)*

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Washington, DC?

**Yes**, you need to live in the property as your primary residence to legally rent it on Airbnb in Washington, DC. Additionally, you must have a Homestead Deduction on your property taxes. This ensures compliance with local regulations governing short-term rentals within the district. Always check for updates. *(51 words)*

How many nights per year can I rent my property in Washington, DC?

**90 nights per** year is the limit for unhosted rentals in Washington, DC. If you are staying in the home with your guests (hosted rental), there is no limit on how many nights you can rent it out. This regulation applies to properties not considered primary residences. Always verify. *(53 words)*

Washington

Prohibited

District of ColumbiaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 5 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 5

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in Washington DC are strictly limited to the owner's primary residence where the owner has a Homestead Deduction. Unhosted rentals (Vacation Rentals) are capped at 90 days per calendar year, while hosted rentals have no annual night limit.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Washington DC, you must live in the home as your primary residence and have a 'Homestead Deduction' on your property taxes. You need to apply for a $104.50 biennial license through the DLCP. If you are not home while guests are staying (unhosted), you can only rent your home for a total of 90 days per year. If you are staying in the home with your guests, there is no limit on how many nights you can rent it out.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit90/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$105

Processing timeImmediate if all documents uploaded

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You MUST have a Homestead Deduction; if you don't, you cannot legally host an STR in DC.
2Unhosted rentals (Vacation Rentals) are hard-capped at 90 days per year; there is no way to exceed this.
3Corporate entities cannot obtain STR licenses; they must be held by individuals.
4The 15.95% tax rate is one of the highest in the US; ensure your platform is collecting it correctly.
5You cannot host in an ADU (like a carriage house) if it was built after 2018 in certain residential zones.
6A 'Clean Hands' certificate is required, meaning any unpaid parking tickets over $100 will block your license.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility10 rules

Washington: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Washington: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Washington limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements17 rules

Washington STR warning: Corporate entities (LLCs) cannot hold an STR license; the host must be a 'natural person'.
Washington STR warning: If your building is part of an HOA or condo board, they can legally ban STRs regardless of city rules.
Washington STR warning: The 15.95% tax rate is exceptionally high and stays in effect through late 2027.

Application process9 rules

How to set up an STR in Washington: To host an Airbnb in Washington, DC, you must live in the home you are renting and qualify for the Homestead Tax Deduction. You need to apply for a Basic Business License through the DLCP, which costs $99 for two years. If you are staying in the home with your guests, you can rent it out as many nights as you want; if you rent the whole place while you are away, you are limited to 90 nights a year. You also need to keep at least $250,000 in liability insurance and provide a 'Certificate of Clean Hands' to prove you don't owe the city money.

Fees & costs1 rule

Washington charges a registration fee of $99 (biennial).

Taxes2 rules

Washington: The 15.95% tax rate is exceptionally high and stays in effect through late 2027.
Washington charges a Sales Tax on Transient Accommodations of 15.95%. This applies to stays under 91 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit the 15.95% tax on behalf of hosts.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Washington limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Washington enforces quiet hours: Subject to DC Noise Control Act (typically 10 PM - 7 AM).
Washington limits STRs to a maximum of 8 guests. Formula: Maximum of 8 guests total, or 2 guests per bedroom, whichever is greater.
Washington: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety requirements1 rule

Washington requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Unobstructed egress, Linen exchange and cleaning between rentals, Conspicuous posting of the license inside the unit.

Penalties3 rules

Washington: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Washington enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $2,000 fine. Third offense: $6,000 fine. Maximum fine: $6,000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions4 rules

Washington: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Washington exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Washington: Unhosted rentals (Vacation Rentals) are capped at 90 nights per year unless you have a hardship exemption.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Washington

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Homestead Deduction

Ensure your property is registered as your primary residence with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue to qualify.

Instant if already registeredFree

Documents needed

Property tax bill

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain Clean Hands Certificate

Verify you do not owe more than $100 to the District of Columbia.

1 dayFree

Documents needed

SSN or FEIN

Official resource

Step 3

Apply for Basic Business License

Submit an application for the Short-Term Rental category via the DLCP portal.

1-5 days$104.5

Documents needed

Valid DC ID
Clean Hands Certificate
Insurance certificate

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Washington

Prohibited

District of ColumbiaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 5 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 5

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit90/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$105

Processing timeImmediate if all documents uploaded

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You MUST have a Homestead Deduction; if you don't, you cannot legally host an STR in DC.
2Unhosted rentals (Vacation Rentals) are hard-capped at 90 days per year; there is no way to exceed this.
3Corporate entities cannot obtain STR licenses; they must be held by individuals.
4The 15.95% tax rate is one of the highest in the US; ensure your platform is collecting it correctly.
5You cannot host in an ADU (like a carriage house) if it was built after 2018 in certain residential zones.
6A 'Clean Hands' certificate is required, meaning any unpaid parking tickets over $100 will block your license.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility10 rules

Washington: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Washington: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Washington limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements17 rules

Washington STR warning: Corporate entities (LLCs) cannot hold an STR license; the host must be a 'natural person'.
Washington STR warning: If your building is part of an HOA or condo board, they can legally ban STRs regardless of city rules.
Washington STR warning: The 15.95% tax rate is exceptionally high and stays in effect through late 2027.

Application process9 rules

How to set up an STR in Washington: To host an Airbnb in Washington, DC, you must live in the home you are renting and qualify for the Homestead Tax Deduction. You need to apply for a Basic Business License through the DLCP, which costs $99 for two years. If you are staying in the home with your guests, you can rent it out as many nights as you want; if you rent the whole place while you are away, you are limited to 90 nights a year. You also need to keep at least $250,000 in liability insurance and provide a 'Certificate of Clean Hands' to prove you don't owe the city money.

Fees & costs1 rule

Washington charges a registration fee of $99 (biennial).

Taxes2 rules

Washington: The 15.95% tax rate is exceptionally high and stays in effect through late 2027.
Washington charges a Sales Tax on Transient Accommodations of 15.95%. This applies to stays under 91 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit the 15.95% tax on behalf of hosts.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Washington limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Washington enforces quiet hours: Subject to DC Noise Control Act (typically 10 PM - 7 AM).
Washington limits STRs to a maximum of 8 guests. Formula: Maximum of 8 guests total, or 2 guests per bedroom, whichever is greater.
Washington: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety requirements1 rule

Washington requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Unobstructed egress, Linen exchange and cleaning between rentals, Conspicuous posting of the license inside the unit.

Penalties3 rules

Washington: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Washington enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $2,000 fine. Third offense: $6,000 fine. Maximum fine: $6,000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions4 rules

Washington: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Washington exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Washington: Unhosted rentals (Vacation Rentals) are capped at 90 nights per year unless you have a hardship exemption.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Washington

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Homestead Deduction

Ensure your property is registered as your primary residence with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue to qualify.

Instant if already registeredFree

Documents needed

Property tax bill

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain Clean Hands Certificate

Verify you do not owe more than $100 to the District of Columbia.

1 dayFree

Documents needed

SSN or FEIN

Official resource

Step 3

Apply for Basic Business License

Submit an application for the Short-Term Rental category via the DLCP portal.

1-5 days$104.5

Documents needed

Valid DC ID
Clean Hands Certificate
Insurance certificate

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Homestead Deduction

Obtain Clean Hands Certificate

Apply for Basic Business License

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Washington, DC?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Washington, DC?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Washington, DC?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Washington, DC?

5How many nights per year can I rent my property in Washington, DC?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Homestead Deduction

Obtain Clean Hands Certificate

Apply for Basic Business License

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Washington, DC?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Washington, DC?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Washington, DC?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Washington, DC?

5How many nights per year can I rent my property in Washington, DC?

Disclaimer