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

**Yes**, Nantucket requires a Short-Term Rental Certificate for all rentals. You need to apply for this permit through the town. The current fee for the certificate is $250 annually. Operating without this verified permit can result in fines, per Chapter 123 of the Town Code.

What is the TOT tax rate in Nantucket, MA?

**6% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Nantucket. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the town. In addition to this, there is a 14.45% total tax rate including the Cape & Islands Water Protection Fund surcharge.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Nantucket?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Nantucket, but are strictly regulated by the town. You need to obtain a permit and comply with all safety standards under Chapter 123 of the Town Code. Following the 2024 Special Town Meeting, the town confirmed STRs as an allowed use.

How much does an STR permit cost in Nantucket?

**$250** is the current annual fee for a Short-Term Rental Certificate in Nantucket. You need to obtain this permit to legally operate a short-term rental. Be sure to renew your permit annually and maintain compliance with all local regulations outlined in Chapter 123 of the Town Code.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Nantucket?

**No**, tenants in Nantucket are not permitted to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms. Only property owners are allowed to obtain a Short-Term Rental Certificate and operate a short-term rental. Renters are prohibited from subletting their rental units as short-term rentals. Check Chapter 123 for more details.

Nantucket

Strict

STRs Allowed

MassachusettsLast updated: February 13, 2026

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Summary

Nantucket strictly regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 123 of the Town Code, requiring annual registration and compliance with safety standards. Following a 2024 Special Town Meeting, the town confirmed STRs as an allowed use while implementing a total tax rate of 14.45% (including the Cape & Islands Water Protection Fund surcharge).

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 36 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Standard permit fee: $250
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Nantucket, you must first register with the State of Massachusetts and then apply for a local Nantucket Short-Term Rental Certificate through the town's online portal. You will need to pay an annual fee of $250 and ensure your property meets all fire and safety codes, including specific occupancy limits based on your number of bedrooms. Most platforms will collect the required 14.45% in taxes automatically, but you are responsible for ensuring your local permit number is displayed on your listing. Be aware that corporations are restricted from owning new STRs, and there are strict limits on the number of properties one individual can register.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$250

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.A total tax rate of 14.45% applies, which includes a 2.75% surcharge for the Cape & Islands Water Protection Fund.
2.Corporate ownership of short-term rentals is largely prohibited under new 2024 regulations.
3.Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional persons for the entire unit.
4.You must have a local contact person available 24/7 who can respond to issues within 2 hours.
5.Registrations must be renewed annually by November 1st for the following year.
6.Affordable housing units and 'Covenant' homes are strictly prohibited from being used as STRs.
7.The 2024 'Article 1' passage changed the legal status of STRs from 'accessory' to 'primary' use, ending years of legal uncertainty.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(13)

•Nantucket does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Nantucket allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family homes, Multi-family units, Apartments.
•Nantucket limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
•Nantucket: Affordable housing units and 'Covenant' homes are strictly prohibited from being used as STRs.

Requirements(21)

•Nantucket, MA: Hosts must report their rental activity per-booking to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
•Nantucket: The 2024 'Article 1' passage changed the legal status of STRs from 'accessory' to 'primary' use, ending years of legal uncertainty.

Application Process(10)

•How to set up an STR in Nantucket: To host an Airbnb in Nantucket, you must first register with the State of Massachusetts and then apply for a local Nantucket Short-Term Rental Certificate through the town's online portal. You will need to pay an annual fee of $250 and ensure your property meets all fire and safety codes, including specific occupancy limits based on your number of bedrooms. Most platforms will collect the required 14.45% in taxes automatically, but you are responsible for ensuring your local permit number is displayed on your listing. Be aware that corporations are restricted from owning new STRs, and there are strict limits on the number of properties one individual can register.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Nantucket charges a registration fee of $250 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Nantucket charges a Local Option Room Occupancy Excise Tax of 6%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms like Airbnb/VRBO collect and remit the 5.7% state and 6% local tax directly to the MA DOR.
•Massachusetts has a state sales tax of 5.7% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(9)

•Nantucket: A total tax rate of 14.45% applies, which includes a 2.75% surcharge for the Cape & Islands Water Protection Fund.
•Nantucket, MA occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests in the unit. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Nantucket, MA: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Nantucket requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing egress, Septic system inspection (if not on town sewer).

Penalties(3)

•Nantucket, MA: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Nantucket: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

•Nantucket, MA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Nantucket: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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

Nantucket

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(13)

Requirements(21)

Application Process(10)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(9)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst

Nantucket

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Nantucket, MA?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Nantucket?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Nantucket?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Nantucket?

Related Content

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst