What should Newton hosts know about you cannot list a property?

You cannot list a property that is not your primary home where you live at least 9 months a year.

What should Newton hosts know about commercial events like parties, weddings?

Commercial events like parties, weddings, or corporate functions are prohibited.

What should Newton hosts know about the maximum number of bedrooms?

The maximum number of bedrooms that can be rented is 3, even in larger homes.

What are the key requirements for Newton hosts?

Registration must be renewed annually in January.

What violations should Newton hosts avoid?

Failure to display the registration number on your Airbnb/VRBO listing is a violation.

Newton, MA Short-Term Rental Laws &...

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 13, 2026

Summary

Short-term rentals in Newton are restricted to an operator's primary residence, requiring both state and local registration, fire safety inspections, and a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 78 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Safety standards required
•No night cap

In Plain English

To host an STR in Newton, the property must be your primary residence where you live at least nine months of the year. You must register with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the City of Newton, pass a fire safety inspection, and maintain $1 million in liability insurance. Commercial events and parties are strictly prohibited at rental properties.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$100

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•Newton: Commercial events like parties, weddings, or corporate functions are prohibited.
•Newton prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADU, Commercial properties, Investment properties (Non-primary).
•Newton limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements(13)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Newton: 1. You cannot list a property that is not your primary home where you live at least 9 months a year. 2. Commercial events like parties, weddings, or corporate functions are prohibited. 3. The maximum number of bedrooms that can be rented is 3, even in larger homes. 4. Registration must be renewed annually in January. 5. Failure to display the registration number on your Airbnb/VRBO listing is a violation.

Application Process(7)

•Newton STR permit - Step 2: Pass Fire Inspection. Schedule an inspection with the Newton Fire Department to receive a Certificate of Compliance for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 50.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Newton charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Massachusetts has a state sales tax of 0.057% that applies to STR rentals.
•Newton charges a Local Room Occupancy Excise Tax of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit state and local taxes to the MA Department of Revenue.

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•Newton limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
•Newton occupancy calculation: Maximum of 9 guests total. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Newton limits STRs to a maximum of 9 guests. Formula: Maximum of 9 guests total
•Newton: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Newton enforces quiet hours: 10pm - 7am.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Newton requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Certificate of Compliance from Newton Fire Department, House rules must be posted inside the unit.

Penalties(2)

•Newton enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $300 fine. Second offense: $300 fine. Third offense: $300 fine. Daily fine: $300 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Newton: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Newton exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels and Motels.
•Newton: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Unlock: 4-Step Application Guide

Get step-by-step application guides and access to all 51+ markets.

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Massachusetts

Strict

Boston enforces some of the strictest short-term rental laws in the US, mandating that all units must be the host's primary residence. Investor-owned secondary units are strictly prohibited, and all hosts must register annually with the Inspectional Services Department.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Lenox

Massachusetts

Moderate

Short-term rentals are regulated in Lenox under a bylaw passed in 2022, requiring annual registration with the Board of Health and a $100 fee. All units must undergo a safety inspection and hosts must collect a 6% local room occupancy tax in addition to state taxes.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Edgartown

Massachusetts

Moderate

Edgartown does not currently have a local municipal STR permit system, as recent attempts to pass a licensing bylaw have failed. However, hosts must comply with the Massachusetts State Registry (MassTaxConnect) and pay a combined total tax rate of 14.45%.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Amherst

Massachusetts

Moderate

Amherst requires all short-term rentals to obtain a Residential Rental Permit, comply with strict occupancy limits, and prohibits STRs in accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Newton

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(13)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

Create a free account

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst

Newton

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Newton?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Newton?

3What safety requirements exist for Newton rentals?

4Can I rent out a secondary home in Newton?

Related Content

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst