What should Brookline hosts know about primary residence is strictly enforced?

Primary residence is strictly enforced - investors cannot operate STRs in non-primary residences.

What should Brookline hosts know about adus (accessory dwelling units) are?

ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are explicitly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.

What should Brookline hosts know about a 90-day annual cap applies?

A 90-day annual cap applies to all rentals unless a special extension is granted.

What are the key requirements for Brookline hosts?

Condo owners must provide proof that their association by-laws explicitly permit STRs.

Brookline

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

MassachusettsLast updated: February 10, 2026

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 7, 2026

Summary

Short-term rentals in Brookline are restricted to the owner's primary residence for up to 90 days per year and require a town-issued Certificate of Registration.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
•Standard permit fee: $275
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required

In Plain English

To host a short-term rental in Brookline, you must live in the property as your primary residence and obtain a town permit after passing health, fire, and building inspections. Rentals are capped at 90 nights per year unless you receive special permission, and you must maintain at least $1 million in liability insurance.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

90/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$275

Processing Time

4-8 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•Brookline: ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are explicitly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
•Brookline rent control/RSO note: STRs are prohibited in any housing subject to local, state, or federal income-eligible/restricted programs.
•Brookline allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Two-Family, Three-Family.

Requirements(11)

•Brookline STR warning: Condo owners must provide proof that their association by-laws explicitly permit STRs.
•Brookline STR warning: Primary residence is strictly enforced - investors cannot operate STRs in non-primary residences.

Application Process(8)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Brookline: Step 1: Register with State DOR - Obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue via MassTaxConnect. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://mtc.dor.state.ma.us/mtc/_/ Step 2: Gather Documentation - Prepare proof of primary residence (residential tax exemption), floor plans, and $1,000,000 liability insurance binder. Documents needed: Floor plan, Insurance policy, Tax records. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://www.brooklinema.gov/1816/Short-Term-Rentals Step 3: Submit Town Application - Apply for a Certificate of Registration through the Brookline Select Board's online portal. Documents needed: State registration number. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 275. More info: https://www.brooklinema.gov/1816/Short-Term-Rentals Step 4: Pass Inspections - Schedule and pass mandatory health, building, and fire safety inspections by the town departments. Estimated time: 2-4 weeks. Step 5: Receive and Post Certificate - Once approved, receive your Certificate and post the registration number on all listing platforms. Estimated time: 1 week.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Brookline charges a registration fee of $275 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Massachusetts has a state sales tax of 0.057% that applies to STR rentals.
•Brookline charges a Local Option Room Occupancy Excise of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms like Airbnb generally collect and remit the 5.7% state and 6% local tax.

Limits & Restrictions(7)

•Brookline: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Brookline limits STRs to 90 nights per year. This applies to all rentals. Exception: May be increased up to 180 days per year following a public hearing and Select Board approval.
•Brookline limits stays to a maximum of 27 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Brookline requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Health Department Inspection, Building Department Inspection, Emergency lighting required in some cases, Exit signs required in some cases.

Penalties(3)

•Brookline: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Brookline: Operating an STR in a rent-controlled unit can result in permit denial and fines. STRs are prohibited in any housing subject to local, state, or federal income-eligible/restricted programs.

Exemptions(2)

•Brookline: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Brookline exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Stays of 14 days or less per year (tax exemption, but not permit exemption).

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Unlock: 5-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

Brookline

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(7)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

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

Brookline

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 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 Brookline?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Brookline?

3Are there rental night limits in Brookline?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Brookline?

Related Content

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst