What should St Johnsbury hosts know about new 3% state surcharge effective?

New 3% state surcharge effective August 1, 2024, brings total tax to 12%.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in St Johnsbury?

STRs are treated as conditional uses in residential zones, requiring a public hearing.

What are the key requirements for St Johnsbury hosts?

The Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number must be included in all advertisements.

What should St Johnsbury hosts know about rentals of 14 days or?

Rentals of 14 days or fewer per year are exempt from most state registration rules.

St Johnsbury

Moderate

VermontUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 13, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in St. Johnsbury are regulated primarily through local zoning bylaws as conditional uses and must comply with Vermont state-level tax, health, and fire safety registries.

Restriction level

Severity 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To operate a short-term rental, you must obtain a conditional use permit from the Town's Zoning Board and register with the Vermont Department of Taxes and Department of Health. You are required to collect a 12% tax (9% state room tax plus a 3% short-term rental surcharge) and post local emergency contact information within the unit.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$150

Processing time4-8 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1New 3% state surcharge effective August 1, 2024, brings total tax to 12%.
2STRs are treated as conditional uses in residential zones, requiring a public hearing.
3The Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number must be included in all advertisements.
4Rentals of 14 days or fewer per year are exempt from most state registration rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility4 rules

St Johnsbury: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
St Johnsbury allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Multi-Family, Condo, Cottage, Tourist Home.
St Johnsbury does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements11 rules

St Johnsbury requires STR registration. The permit is called "Conditional Use Permit". Apply through St. Johnsbury Planning & Zoning Department. Processing time: 4-8 weeks.
St Johnsbury STR warning: The Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number must be included in all advertisements.

Application process8 rules

St Johnsbury STR permit - Step 4: Complete Safety Certification. Ensure the property meets Vermont Life Safety codes and post the required 'Short-Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations' form inside the unit. Time: 1 day.

Fees & costs1 rule

St Johnsbury charges a registration fee of $150 (one_time).

Taxes4 rules

St Johnsbury: New 3% state surcharge effective August 1, 2024, brings total tax to 12%.
St Johnsbury: The Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number must be included in all advertisements.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

St Johnsbury limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
St Johnsbury occupancy calculation: Limited by septic capacity and fire code occupancy. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
St Johnsbury enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

St Johnsbury requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in sleeping rooms, Posted State Short-Term Rental Safety Health and Financial Obligations form, Contact info for Dept of Health and Division of Fire Safety.

Penalties2 rules

St Johnsbury: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

St Johnsbury: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
St Johnsbury exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals for 14 days or fewer per year.
St Johnsbury: Rentals of 14 days or fewer per year are exempt from most state registration rules.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for St Johnsbury

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Register for a Vermont Business Tax Account

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Social Security Number or EIN

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Town Conditional Use Permit

Submit a zoning application to the St. Johnsbury Development Review Board for a conditional use permit to operate an STR in residential zones.

4-8 weeks$150

Documents needed

Site Plan
Floor Plan
Application Form

Official resource

Step 3

Register with VT Department of Health

Complete the mandatory state short-term rental registry for health and safety oversight.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Tax Account Number

Official resource

Step 4

Complete Safety Certification

Ensure the property meets Vermont Life Safety codes and post the required 'Short-Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations' form inside the unit.

1 dayFree

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

St Johnsbury

Moderate

VermontUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 13, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in St. Johnsbury are regulated primarily through local zoning bylaws as conditional uses and must comply with Vermont state-level tax, health, and fire safety registries.

Restriction level

Severity 11

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Permit required
Reporting 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$150

Processing time4-8 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1New 3% state surcharge effective August 1, 2024, brings total tax to 12%.
2STRs are treated as conditional uses in residential zones, requiring a public hearing.
3The Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number must be included in all advertisements.
4Rentals of 14 days or fewer per year are exempt from most state registration rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility4 rules

St Johnsbury: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
St Johnsbury allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Multi-Family, Condo, Cottage, Tourist Home.
St Johnsbury does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements11 rules

St Johnsbury requires STR registration. The permit is called "Conditional Use Permit". Apply through St. Johnsbury Planning & Zoning Department. Processing time: 4-8 weeks.
St Johnsbury STR warning: The Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number must be included in all advertisements.

Application process8 rules

St Johnsbury STR permit - Step 4: Complete Safety Certification. Ensure the property meets Vermont Life Safety codes and post the required 'Short-Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations' form inside the unit. Time: 1 day.

Fees & costs1 rule

St Johnsbury charges a registration fee of $150 (one_time).

Taxes4 rules

St Johnsbury: New 3% state surcharge effective August 1, 2024, brings total tax to 12%.
St Johnsbury: The Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number must be included in all advertisements.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

St Johnsbury limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
St Johnsbury occupancy calculation: Limited by septic capacity and fire code occupancy. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
St Johnsbury enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

St Johnsbury requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in sleeping rooms, Posted State Short-Term Rental Safety Health and Financial Obligations form, Contact info for Dept of Health and Division of Fire Safety.

Penalties2 rules

St Johnsbury: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

St Johnsbury: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
St Johnsbury exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals for 14 days or fewer per year.
St Johnsbury: Rentals of 14 days or fewer per year are exempt from most state registration rules.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for St Johnsbury

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Register for a Vermont Business Tax Account

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Social Security Number or EIN

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Town Conditional Use Permit

Submit a zoning application to the St. Johnsbury Development Review Board for a conditional use permit to operate an STR in residential zones.

4-8 weeks$150

Documents needed

Site Plan
Floor Plan
Application Form

Official resource

Step 3

Register with VT Department of Health

Complete the mandatory state short-term rental registry for health and safety oversight.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Tax Account Number

Official resource

Step 4

Complete Safety Certification

Ensure the property meets Vermont Life Safety codes and post the required 'Short-Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations' form inside the unit.

1 dayFree

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 for a Vermont Business Tax Account

Apply for Town Conditional Use Permit

Register with VT Department of Health

Complete Safety Certification

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in St Johnsbury?

3What are the health and safety requirements for rentals?

4Are there specific zoning restrictions in St Johnsbury?

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 for a Vermont Business Tax Account

Apply for Town Conditional Use Permit

Register with VT Department of Health

Complete Safety Certification

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in St Johnsbury?

3What are the health and safety requirements for rentals?

4Are there specific zoning restrictions in St Johnsbury?

Disclaimer