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

MassachusettsUpdated Mar 6, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

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

What this means for you

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

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit90/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$275

Processing time4-8 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Primary residence is strictly enforced - investors cannot operate STRs in non-primary residences.
2ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are explicitly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
3A 90-day annual cap applies to all rentals unless a special extension is granted.
4Condo owners must provide proof that their association by-laws explicitly permit STRs.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility10 rules

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.

Requirements11 rules

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 process8 rules

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 & costs1 rule

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

Taxes2 rules

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 & restrictions7 rules

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 requirements1 rule

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.

Penalties3 rules

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.

Exemptions2 rules

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).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Brookline

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Register with State DOR

Obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue via MassTaxConnect.

1 weekFree

Official resource

Step 2

Gather Documentation

Prepare proof of primary residence (residential tax exemption), floor plans, and $1,000,000 liability insurance binder.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Floor plan
Insurance policy
Tax records

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Town Application

Apply for a Certificate of Registration through the Brookline Select Board's online portal.

1 week$275

Documents needed

State registration number

Official resource

Step 4

Pass Inspections

Schedule and pass mandatory health, building, and fire safety inspections by the town departments.

2-4 weeksFree

Step 5

Receive and Post Certificate

Once approved, receive your Certificate and post the registration number on all listing platforms.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

4 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

Brookline

Prohibited

MassachusettsUpdated Mar 6, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

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

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit90/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$275

Processing time4-8 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Primary residence is strictly enforced - investors cannot operate STRs in non-primary residences.
2ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are explicitly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
3A 90-day annual cap applies to all rentals unless a special extension is granted.
4Condo owners must provide proof that their association by-laws explicitly permit STRs.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility10 rules

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.

Requirements11 rules

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 process8 rules

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 & costs1 rule

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

Taxes2 rules

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 & restrictions7 rules

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 requirements1 rule

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.

Penalties3 rules

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.

Exemptions2 rules

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).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Brookline

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Register with State DOR

Obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue via MassTaxConnect.

1 weekFree

Official resource

Step 2

Gather Documentation

Prepare proof of primary residence (residential tax exemption), floor plans, and $1,000,000 liability insurance binder.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Floor plan
Insurance policy
Tax records

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Town Application

Apply for a Certificate of Registration through the Brookline Select Board's online portal.

1 week$275

Documents needed

State registration number

Official resource

Step 4

Pass Inspections

Schedule and pass mandatory health, building, and fire safety inspections by the town departments.

2-4 weeksFree

Step 5

Receive and Post Certificate

Once approved, receive your Certificate and post the registration number on all listing platforms.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Register with State DOR

Gather Documentation

Submit Town Application

Pass Inspections

Receive and Post Certificate

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?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Register with State DOR

Gather Documentation

Submit Town Application

Pass Inspections

Receive and Post Certificate

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?

Disclaimer