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  1. Home
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  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. New Hampshire
  6. ·
  7. Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Prohibited
New HampshireUpdated Feb 10, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of Portsmouth permits short-term rentals primarily in owner-occupied dwellings, subject to a 90-day annual cap for unhosted stays. New regulations adopted in 2024 require mandatory annual registration, life-safety inspections, and proof of primary residency.

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: $150
  • Limited to 1 property per owner
  • Tenants cannot host
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Portsmouth, the property must be your primary home where you live for at least half the year. You can rent out your whole home while you are away for up to 90 days total per year, or rent a room while you are present without a night limit. You must register with the city planning department, pay a $150 fee, and pass a fire safety inspection. Don't forget that New Hampshire requires an 8.5% Meals and Rentals tax, though booking sites usually collect this for you.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limit90/year
Primary residenceRequired
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$150
Processing time2-4 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
  2. 2The 90-day cap applies to any stay where the owner is not physically present on-site.
  3. 3You must prove you live in the unit using your voter registration or car registration address.
  4. 4The city requires a life-safety inspection by the Fire Department before the permit is issued.
  5. 5You must include your city registration number in all online advertisements.
  6. 6NH Meals and Rentals tax applies to all stays under 185 days, even if the city registration only applies under 30 days.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility5 rules
  • Portsmouth: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) cannot be used for short-term rentals.
  • Portsmouth: STRs are PROHIBITED in residential zones (Working Stiff Partners, LLC v. City of Portsmouth).
  • Portsmouth prohibits STRs in the following property types: All dwelling units in residential zones.
Requirements13 rules
  • Portsmouth: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
  • Portsmouth STR warning: STRs are PROHIBITED in residential zones (Working Stiff Partners, LLC v. City of Portsmouth).
  • Portsmouth STR warning: Only traditional Bed and Breakfasts or hotels in specific business zones are typically permitted for short stays.
Application process3 rules
  • Portsmouth STR permit - Step 1: Verify Zoning. Short-term rentals are currently prohibited in residential zones. You must verify if your property is in a commercial zone that allows 'transient occupancy' and if you can meet the requirements for a hotel/motel use. Required documents: Zoning Map.
Taxes2 rules
  • Portsmouth charges a NH Meals and Rooms Tax of 8.5%. This applies to stays under 185 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect the 8.5% state tax, but this does not grant legal status to the rental in Portsmouth.
  • Portsmouth: NH Meals and Rooms Tax (8.5%) must be paid, but paying the tax does NOT make the rental legal under city zoning.
Limits & restrictions2 rules
  • Portsmouth requires a minimum stay of 31 nights.
  • Portsmouth enforces quiet hours: 10 PM - 7 AM (General Noise Ordinance).
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Portsmouth requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.
Penalties2 rules
  • Portsmouth enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Cease and Desist order. Second offense: Fines per general enforcement. Daily fine: Varies by court order.
  • Portsmouth: Portsmouth defines 'Short-Term Rental' as any stay less than 31 consecutive days.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Portsmouth: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Portsmouth exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts (properly permitted).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Portsmouth

0/4
steps completed
Step 1

Verify Zoning and Residency

Ensure your property is in an allowed zone and is your primary residence (183+ days/year).

1 dayFree
Documents needed
  • Voter registration or Driver's License
Official resource
Step 2

Apply for NH Meals & Rentals Tax License

Register with the NH Department of Revenue Administration to receive your tax ID number.

1-2 weeksFree
Official resource
Step 3

Submit City Registration

Complete the online application via the Portsmouth ViewPoint Cloud portal.

20 minutes$150
Documents needed
  • Insurance certificate
  • Tax license
  • Floor plan
Official resource
Step 4

Schedule Life Safety Inspection

The Fire Department must inspect the unit for smoke/CO alarms and egress safety.

1 week

Frequently asked questions

5 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

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