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

**Yes**, Provincetown requires a Short-Term Rental Certificate for all rentals. You need to obtain this certificate from the town and pay an annual fee of $750. Operating without this verified permit can result in fines and penalties under General Bylaw Article 6.

What is the TOT tax rate in Provincetown?

**6% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Provincetown. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the town. Be sure to register with the town to properly collect and remit these taxes as required.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Provincetown?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Provincetown, but they are subject to strict regulations. You must obtain a Short-Term Rental Certificate and comply with occupancy and safety standards set by the town. Failure to adhere to these rules can result in penalties.

How much does an STR permit cost in Provincetown?

**$750** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental Certificate in Provincetown. You need to pay this fee to the town to legally operate a short-term rental. Ensure you factor this cost into your rental pricing and business plan for compliance.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Provincetown?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Provincetown. Only property owners with a valid Short-Term Rental Certificate can legally offer short-term rentals. Renters are encouraged to review their lease agreements and local ordinances.

Provincetown, MA Short-Term Rental Laws

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$750

Processing Time

1-2 weeks

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•Provincetown: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Provincetown, MA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Provincetown: Properties with affordable housing restrictions or subsidies cannot be used for short-term rentals.

Requirements(18)

•Provincetown: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
•Provincetown STR warning: You must register with the State of MA first; the town will not issue a permit without a state number.
•Provincetown: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.

Application Process(12)

•Provincetown, MA: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: State Registration Number (Mass DOR), Proof of Liability Insurance, Local Contact Information, Trash Disposal Plan.

Fees & Costs(3)

•Provincetown: The annual registration fee is $750, which is significantly higher than neighboring towns.
•Provincetown: A 3% Community Impact Fee applies to 'professionally managed' units (not your primary residence).
•Provincetown charges a registration fee of $750 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Massachusetts has a state sales tax of 5.7% that applies to STR rentals.
•Provincetown charges a Local Room Occupancy Excise of 6%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms collect the State (5.7%) and Local (6%) excise, but hosts must ensure the 3% Community Impact Fee is remitted if applicable.

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•Provincetown occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Provincetown enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
•Provincetown: Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra; exceeding this is a code violation.
•Provincetown limits stays to a maximum of 31 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Provincetown requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Trash removal schedule must be posted, Egress map must be posted.

Penalties(4)

•Provincetown: Trash must be managed according to a specific plan; leave-behinds by guests can result in fines.
•Provincetown: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

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

Provincetown

Gold Standard Verification

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

At a Glance

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(18)

Application Process(12)

Fees & Costs(3)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(4)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Provincetown

Gold Standard Verification

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

At a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Provincetown?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Provincetown?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Provincetown?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Provincetown?

Related Content

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst