What should Kingston hosts know about maximum occupancy is strictly capped?

Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 people regardless of home size.

What are the key requirements for Kingston hosts?

If the owner lives more than 25 miles from South Kingstown, a local representative living within 25 miles must be designated.

What are the key requirements for Kingston hosts?

Registration must be renewed every two years.

What should Kingston hosts know about the state of rhode island?

The State of Rhode Island applies an additional 5% state hotel tax and 7% sales tax on top of the 1% local tax.

Kingston

Moderate

Rhode IslandUpdated Mar 19, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 10, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

The Town of South Kingstown requires all short-term rentals to register with the Town Clerk and the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation.

Restriction level

Severity 15

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
Permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

If you rent your property for 30 days or less in Kingston (South Kingstown), you must register with both the town and the state. You are required to have liability insurance, follow occupancy limits, and designate a local contact person if you live more than 25 miles away.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

Processing time1-2 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 people regardless of home size.
2If the owner lives more than 25 miles from South Kingstown, a local representative living within 25 miles must be designated.
3Registration must be renewed every two years.
4The State of Rhode Island applies an additional 5% state hotel tax and 7% sales tax on top of the 1% local tax.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Kingston: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Kingston: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Kingston does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Kingston does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements10 rules

Kingston STR warning: The State of Rhode Island applies an additional 5% state hotel tax and 7% sales tax on top of the 1% local tax.
Kingston requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $500,000. Certificate of insurance must specifically mention short-term rental use or be a commercial policy.

Application process6 rules

Kingston STR permit - Step 2: Obtain Insurance Certificate. Secure a liability insurance policy of at least $500,000 that covers short-term rentals. Time: 1-3 days.

Fees & costs1 rule

Kingston charges a registration fee of $50 (biennial).

Taxes3 rules

Kingston: The State of Rhode Island applies an additional 5% state hotel tax and 7% sales tax on top of the 1% local tax.
Kingston charges a Local Hotel Tax of 0.01%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect and remit the state and local taxes for RI properties.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Kingston: Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 people regardless of home size.
Kingston limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Kingston limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total
Kingston enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

Kingston requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Compliance with RI State Fire Code, Safe egress requirements, Functioning HVAC and sanitation.

Penalties2 rules

Kingston: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Kingston enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250 fine. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: Registration revocation. Daily fine: $250 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

Kingston exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Kingston: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Kingston

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Register with RI Department of Business Regulation

All STRs in Rhode Island must first register with the state DBR through their online portal.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Property info
Ownership info

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain Insurance Certificate

Secure a liability insurance policy of at least $500,000 that covers short-term rentals.

1-3 daysFree

Step 3

Submit South Kingstown Registration

Complete the Town registration form and submit to the Town Clerk with the $50 fee.

1-2 weeks$50

Documents needed

State registration number
Proof of insurance
Floor plan
Local contact information

Official resource

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

Kingston

Moderate

Rhode IslandUpdated Mar 19, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 10, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

The Town of South Kingstown requires all short-term rentals to register with the Town Clerk and the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation.

Restriction level

Severity 15

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
Permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

Processing time1-2 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 people regardless of home size.
2If the owner lives more than 25 miles from South Kingstown, a local representative living within 25 miles must be designated.
3Registration must be renewed every two years.
4The State of Rhode Island applies an additional 5% state hotel tax and 7% sales tax on top of the 1% local tax.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Kingston: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Kingston: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Kingston does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Kingston does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements10 rules

Kingston STR warning: The State of Rhode Island applies an additional 5% state hotel tax and 7% sales tax on top of the 1% local tax.
Kingston requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $500,000. Certificate of insurance must specifically mention short-term rental use or be a commercial policy.

Application process6 rules

Kingston STR permit - Step 2: Obtain Insurance Certificate. Secure a liability insurance policy of at least $500,000 that covers short-term rentals. Time: 1-3 days.

Fees & costs1 rule

Kingston charges a registration fee of $50 (biennial).

Taxes3 rules

Kingston: The State of Rhode Island applies an additional 5% state hotel tax and 7% sales tax on top of the 1% local tax.
Kingston charges a Local Hotel Tax of 0.01%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect and remit the state and local taxes for RI properties.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Kingston: Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 people regardless of home size.
Kingston limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Kingston limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total
Kingston enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

Kingston requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Compliance with RI State Fire Code, Safe egress requirements, Functioning HVAC and sanitation.

Penalties2 rules

Kingston: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Kingston enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250 fine. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: Registration revocation. Daily fine: $250 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

Kingston exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Kingston: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Kingston

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Register with RI Department of Business Regulation

All STRs in Rhode Island must first register with the state DBR through their online portal.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Property info
Ownership info

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain Insurance Certificate

Secure a liability insurance policy of at least $500,000 that covers short-term rentals.

1-3 daysFree

Step 3

Submit South Kingstown Registration

Complete the Town registration form and submit to the Town Clerk with the $50 fee.

1-2 weeks$50

Documents needed

State registration number
Proof of insurance
Floor plan
Local contact information

Official resource

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 RI Department of Business Regulation

Obtain Insurance Certificate

Submit South Kingstown Registration

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Kingston?

3Are there rental night limits in Kingston?

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

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 RI Department of Business Regulation

Obtain Insurance Certificate

Submit South Kingstown Registration

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Kingston?

3Are there rental night limits in Kingston?

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

Disclaimer