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

**Yes**, Newport requires a Short-Term Rental Registration for all rentals. You need to register annually with the City Clerk and the State of Rhode Island. The registration fee is $100. Operating without this registration can result in fines, so ensure you are compliant before listing.

What is the TOT tax rate in Newport, RI?

**13% TOT** is the current tax rate for short-term rentals in Newport. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the proper authorities. Check with the Rhode Island Division of Taxation for specific guidelines and deadlines. This tax applies to all rentals.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Newport?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Newport. Only property owners can operate short-term rentals. Renting out a property you do not own is prohibited. Check with the city and your landlord to ensure compliance with regulations before listing.

Newport

Q: Are short-term rentals allowed in Newport, RI?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Newport, but with restrictions. Non-owner occupied rentals are strictly prohibited in most residential zones (R-10 to R-60) without a special use permit. Check your property's zoning designation with the city planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Q: How much does an STR permit cost in Newport, RI?

**$100** is the fee for the required Short-Term Rental Registration in Newport. This registration must be renewed annually with the City Clerk and the State of Rhode Island. Ensure you factor this cost into your pricing and budget when operating a short-term rental property in the city.

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

Rhode IslandLast updated: February 13, 2026

Baseline Verification

80%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

The City of Newport requires all short-term rentals to register annually with the City Clerk and the State of Rhode Island. Non-owner occupied rentals are strictly prohibited in most residential zones (R-10 to R-60) without a special use permit.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Residential STRs prohibited
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Newport, you must first register your property with the Rhode Island State Department and then with the City of Newport. If you live in your home for at least 6 months a year, you can host in residential areas; however, if the property is purely an investment, you are generally restricted to commercial zones. You must also pass a fire inspection and pay an annual $100 registration fee. Make sure to display your registration number on your listing to avoid heavy daily fines.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$100

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify if you are in a residential zone; non-owner occupied STRs are banned in R-10, R-20, R-40, and R-60 zones.
2.You must register with the State of Rhode Island (DBR) BEFORE applying for a Newport city permit.
3.A fire inspection is mandatory and must specifically certify the unit for 'transient occupancy'.
4.Fines for operating without a permit are $1,000 per day, which is strictly enforced.
5.Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra guests.
6.The 13% tax is generally collected by platforms like Airbnb, but hosts are responsible for ensuring it is paid.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

•Newport prohibits STRs in the following property types: Tents, RVs, Boats (unless in approved marina), ADUs (in certain districts).
•Newport: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Newport allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Multi-family (with restrictions), Condominium.

Requirements(18)

•Newport STR warning: You must register with the State of Rhode Island (DBR) BEFORE applying for a Newport city permit.
•Newport, RI: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
•Newport requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: 500,000. Must be commercial liability insurance or a specific STR rider.

Application Process(12)

•How to set up an STR in Newport: To host an Airbnb in Newport, you must first register your property with the Rhode Island State Department and then with the City of Newport. If you live in your home for at least 6 months a year, you can host in residential areas; however, if the property is purely an investment, you are generally restricted to commercial zones. You must also pass a fire inspection and pay an annual $100 registration fee. Make sure to display your registration number on your listing to avoid heavy daily fines.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Newport charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes(3)

•Newport: The 13% tax is generally collected by platforms like Airbnb, but hosts are responsible for ensuring it is paid.
•Rhode Island has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•Newport occupancy calculation: Limited by the number of bedrooms (2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests maximum). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Newport enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
•Newport limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety Requirements(2)

•Newport: A fire inspection is mandatory and must specifically certify the unit for 'transient occupancy'.

Penalties(4)

•Newport: Fines for operating without a permit are $1,000 per day, which is strictly enforced.
•Newport, RI: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

•Newport exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
•Newport, RI: 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 Rhode Island Markets

Watch Hill (Town of Westerly)

Rhode Island

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Watch Hill are regulated by the Town of Westerly under Chapter 214 of the Municipal Code. All hosts must register with both the State of Rhode Island and the Town, provide proof of liability insurance, and adhere to strict occupancy and parking limits.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Providence

Rhode Island

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Providence are strictly limited to primary residences where the owner lives for at least 183 days per year. Hosts must obtain both a State of Rhode Island registration and a City of Providence registration, with a cap of 90 nights per year for unhosted rentals.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

Westerly

Rhode Island

Moderate

The Town of Westerly requires all short-term rental operators to register both with the state of Rhode Island and the local Town Clerk's office. Rentals are limited to 30 days or fewer and must comply with specific occupancy limits based on bedroom count.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Kingston

Rhode Island

Moderate

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

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Newport

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

Requirements(18)

Application Process(12)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(2)

Penalties(4)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Rhode Island Markets

Watch Hill (Town of Westerly)

Providence

Westerly

Kingston

Newport

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Newport, RI?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Newport, RI?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Newport, RI?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Newport?

Related Content

Other Rhode Island Markets

Watch Hill (Town of Westerly)

Providence

Westerly

Kingston