What should Middlebury hosts know about a 3% state str surcharge?

A 3% State STR Surcharge was added in August 2024, bringing the total tax rate to 13%.

What should Middlebury hosts know about fire safety inspections are required?

Fire safety inspections are required by the state and can be triggered by neighbor complaints.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Middlebury?

Middlebury recently updated its zoning (2022) to specifically define STRs; check if your specific zone has density limits.

What should Middlebury hosts know about town policies are under active?

Town policies are under active review by the Selectboard and could become more restrictive.

Middlebury

Permissive

VermontUpdated Apr 3, 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

Short-term rentals in Middlebury are regulated through the town's zoning bylaws and must comply with Vermont's state-level registration, fire safety, and tax requirements.

Restriction level

Severity 0

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
Reporting required
Safety standards required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Low permit fee
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Middlebury, you must obtain a zoning permit from the Town Zoning Administrator and register with the Vermont Department of Taxes. You are also required to self-certify compliance with state fire safety and health codes or undergo an inspection if necessary. Hosts must collect and remit a combined 13% tax on all stays of 30 days or less.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$65

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A 3% State STR Surcharge was added in August 2024, bringing the total tax rate to 13%.
2Fire safety inspections are required by the state and can be triggered by neighbor complaints.
3Middlebury recently updated its zoning (2022) to specifically define STRs; check if your specific zone has density limits.
4Town policies are under active review by the Selectboard and could become more restrictive.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Middlebury allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family Home, Condo, Apartment, Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), Self-contained lodging unit.
Middlebury does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements12 rules

Middlebury STR warning: A 3% State STR Surcharge was added in August 2024, bringing the total tax rate to 13%.
Middlebury: Town policies are under active review by the Selectboard and could become more restrictive.
Middlebury STR warning: Middlebury recently updated its zoning (2022) to specifically define STRs; check if your specific zone has density limits.

Application process7 rules

How to set up an STR in Middlebury: To host a short-term rental in Middlebury, you must obtain a zoning permit from the Town Zoning Administrator and register with the Vermont Department of Taxes. You are also required to self-certify compliance with state fire safety and health codes or undergo an inspection if necessary. Hosts must collect and remit a combined 13% tax on all stays of 30 days or less.

Fees & costs1 rule

Middlebury charges a registration fee of $65 (one_time).

Taxes2 rules

Middlebury charges a Local Option Rooms 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 9% state tax and 1% local option tax.
Middlebury: A 3% State STR Surcharge was added in August 2024, bringing the total tax rate to 13%.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Middlebury occupancy calculation: Subject to septic capacity and state fire safety occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Middlebury limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Middlebury enforces quiet hours: 10pm - 7am.

Safety requirements2 rules

Middlebury: Fire safety inspections are required by the state and can be triggered by neighbor complaints.

Penalties3 rules

Middlebury enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 fine. Second offense: $200 fine. Third offense: $500 fine. Daily fine: $200 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Middlebury: Middlebury recently updated its zoning (2022) to specifically define STRs; check if your specific zone has density limits.

Exemptions2 rules

Middlebury exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals of 14 days or fewer per year are exempt from some state registration requirements..
Middlebury: 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 Middlebury

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Register with the Vermont Department of Taxes

Obtain a Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account. This is required even if you only list on platforms like Airbnb.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

SSN or EIN
Business Name

Official resource

Step 2

Register with VT Division of Fire Safety

Register your rental as part of the state housing registry (Act 181) and ensure your property meets the Short-Term Rental Health and Safety Checklist.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Self-certification forms

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Middlebury Zoning Permit Application

Apply for a permit to 'Establish/Change Use' with the Middlebury Zoning Administrator.

2-4 weeks$65

Documents needed

Completed Zoning Application
Floor Plan
Recording Fee

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

Middlebury

Permissive

VermontUpdated Apr 3, 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

Short-term rentals in Middlebury are regulated through the town's zoning bylaws and must comply with Vermont's state-level registration, fire safety, and tax requirements.

Restriction level

Severity 0

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
Reporting required
Safety standards required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Low permit fee
Tenants can host

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$65

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A 3% State STR Surcharge was added in August 2024, bringing the total tax rate to 13%.
2Fire safety inspections are required by the state and can be triggered by neighbor complaints.
3Middlebury recently updated its zoning (2022) to specifically define STRs; check if your specific zone has density limits.
4Town policies are under active review by the Selectboard and could become more restrictive.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Middlebury allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family Home, Condo, Apartment, Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), Self-contained lodging unit.
Middlebury does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements12 rules

Middlebury STR warning: A 3% State STR Surcharge was added in August 2024, bringing the total tax rate to 13%.
Middlebury: Town policies are under active review by the Selectboard and could become more restrictive.
Middlebury STR warning: Middlebury recently updated its zoning (2022) to specifically define STRs; check if your specific zone has density limits.

Application process7 rules

How to set up an STR in Middlebury: To host a short-term rental in Middlebury, you must obtain a zoning permit from the Town Zoning Administrator and register with the Vermont Department of Taxes. You are also required to self-certify compliance with state fire safety and health codes or undergo an inspection if necessary. Hosts must collect and remit a combined 13% tax on all stays of 30 days or less.

Fees & costs1 rule

Middlebury charges a registration fee of $65 (one_time).

Taxes2 rules

Middlebury charges a Local Option Rooms 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 9% state tax and 1% local option tax.
Middlebury: A 3% State STR Surcharge was added in August 2024, bringing the total tax rate to 13%.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Middlebury occupancy calculation: Subject to septic capacity and state fire safety occupancy limits. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Middlebury limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Middlebury enforces quiet hours: 10pm - 7am.

Safety requirements2 rules

Middlebury: Fire safety inspections are required by the state and can be triggered by neighbor complaints.

Penalties3 rules

Middlebury enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 fine. Second offense: $200 fine. Third offense: $500 fine. Daily fine: $200 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Middlebury: Middlebury recently updated its zoning (2022) to specifically define STRs; check if your specific zone has density limits.

Exemptions2 rules

Middlebury exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals of 14 days or fewer per year are exempt from some state registration requirements..
Middlebury: 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 Middlebury

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Register with the Vermont Department of Taxes

Obtain a Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account. This is required even if you only list on platforms like Airbnb.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

SSN or EIN
Business Name

Official resource

Step 2

Register with VT Division of Fire Safety

Register your rental as part of the state housing registry (Act 181) and ensure your property meets the Short-Term Rental Health and Safety Checklist.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

Self-certification forms

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Middlebury Zoning Permit Application

Apply for a permit to 'Establish/Change Use' with the Middlebury Zoning Administrator.

2-4 weeks$65

Documents needed

Completed Zoning Application
Floor Plan
Recording Fee

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 the Vermont Department of Taxes

Register with VT Division of Fire Safety

Submit Middlebury Zoning Permit Application

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the short-term rental tax rate in Middlebury?

3Are there night limits for short-term rentals in Middlebury?

4What are the fire safety requirements for Middlebury rentals?

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 the Vermont Department of Taxes

Register with VT Division of Fire Safety

Submit Middlebury Zoning Permit Application

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the short-term rental tax rate in Middlebury?

3Are there night limits for short-term rentals in Middlebury?

4What are the fire safety requirements for Middlebury rentals?

Disclaimer