Short-Term Rental Regulations in District of Columbia (DC)
District of Columbia has a heavy level of short-term rental regulation. Significant restrictions. STR operators must register with the state. A license or permit is required. Only primary residences may be rented short-term. Un-hosted rentals are capped at 90 nights per year. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit taxes. DC requires a Short-Term Rental license. Only primary residences may be used. Un-hosted rentals capped at 90 nights/year. Must pass a basic safety inspection. Clean hands certification required. 14.95% transient lodging tax applies. Platforms collect and remit taxes.
Full Requirements Summary
District of Columbia has 5 key regulatory requirements at the state level. The table below summarizes all state-level STR regulations. Note that individual cities may have additional requirements beyond what the state mandates.
| Requirement | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| STRs Allowed | Yes | Short-term rentals are legal |
| Statewide Law | Yes | State has specific STR legislation |
| Registration Required | Yes | Must register with state/local authority |
| License Required | Yes | Must obtain a license or permit |
| Primary Residence Only | Yes | Only your primary home can be rented |
| Maximum Nights/Year | 90 nights/year | Capped at 90 rental nights per year |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum | No minimum stay requirement |
| Host Presence Required | No | Un-hosted stays allowed |
| Insurance Required | No | No state insurance mandate |
| Safety Inspection | Yes | Property must pass safety inspection |
| Platform Tax Collection | Yes | Platforms collect and remit taxes |
City-Level STR Regulations in District of Columbia
The table below shows STR regulation details for 1 cities in District of Columbia. City-level rules are generally consistent with the state's heavy restriction level.
| City | Restriction Level | Local Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | Heavy | STR license mandatory. Primary residence only. 90-night cap for un-hosted stays. Must post license number in listings. Safety inspection required. 14.95% lodging tax. |
How District of Columbia Compares to Other States
Below is a comparison of District of Columbia with five states that have similar STR regulation levels. This helps illustrate where District of Columbia stands nationally in terms of short-term rental friendliness.
| State | Restriction Level | Registration | License | Night Cap | Platform Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (DC) | Heavy | Yes | Yes | 90 nights/year | Yes |
| California (CA) | Heavy | No | No | No limit | No |
| Hawaii (HI) | Heavy | Yes | Yes | No limit | Yes |
| Massachusetts (MA) | Heavy | Yes | Yes | No limit | Yes |
| New York (NY) | Heavy | Yes | Yes | No limit | Yes |
| Colorado (CO) | Moderate | No | No | No limit | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions About District of Columbia STR Regulations
Can I legally operate an Airbnb in District of Columbia?
Yes, short-term rentals are legal in District of Columbia. You must register with the state. A license or permit is required. The state's overall restriction level is heavy. Always check your local city and county regulations before listing.
Do I need a permit or license for an Airbnb in District of Columbia?
Yes, District of Columbia requires a license or permit for short-term rental operators. Individual cities in District of Columbia may have their own permit requirements even if the state does not mandate one. Check the city-level details above for specifics.
Does Airbnb collect taxes in District of Columbia?
Yes, District of Columbia has a platform accountability law. Airbnb and other platforms collect and remit applicable state and/or local taxes on behalf of hosts. Always verify your tax obligations with your local tax authority.
Can I rent an investment property as an Airbnb in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a primary residence requirement, meaning only your primary home may be rented on a short-term basis at the state level. Investment properties purchased solely for STR use may not be eligible for short-term rental permits. Check your local city regulations for any additional restrictions or exceptions.
How many nights per year can I rent on Airbnb in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia caps un-hosted short-term rentals at 90 nights per year at the state level. Some cities may have lower caps. Hosted stays (where you are present during the guest's visit) may not count toward this limit in some jurisdictions.
Where can I find the most current STR rules for District of Columbia?
STR regulations change frequently. For the most current information, check your District of Columbia state legislature website, your city or county clerk's office, or your local planning/zoning department. Our data reflects regulations as of early 2026, but always verify before listing a property.
Check Another State or City
Use our STR regulation lookup tool to find the exact rules for your specific city in District of Columbia, or browse all 50 states to compare short-term rental friendliness across the country. Remember: city-level rules often differ significantly from the state-level picture.