State Airbnb laws2026 22 sources cited

Vermont Short-Term Rental Laws & Hotel Tax (2026)

Yes. Vermont has no statewide Airbnb license for one or two units, but stays carry a 9% rooms tax plus a 3% surcharge (12% to 13%; 21% in Burlington), and towns such as Stowe, Killington, Dover and Burlington require registration.5,6,12,13,14,15,16,18,21

Source: AirROI Reviewed by , Founder @ AirROI Rules checked

From 21 official sources and 1 Airbnb help page. Not legal advice.

The short answer

Vermont Airbnb Laws in Brief

  • No state license for one or two units without prepared food; three or more units need a Health Department lodging license.
  • Taxes: 9% rooms tax plus a 3% short-term rental surcharge, and 1% more in local-option towns such as Stowe, Killington and Dover; Airbnb collects them.
  • Sleeping more than 8 guests needs a Division of Fire Safety inspection; hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a posted safety form are required.
  • Town rules differ: Stowe caps licenses at 850, Burlington requires hosts to live on site, Dover charges $125 a year to register.

At a glance

Vermont Short-Term Rental Laws at a Glance

State license required
No
Next rule change
Jan 1, 2027

The laws in brief

The rules a Vermont host meets first, each linked to the ordinance, statute or official page it comes from. Details and exceptions follow below.

Vermont Short-Term Rental Laws at a Glance
TopicRule
PermitNo state license for one or two units5
Who can hostBurlington: host must live on site17
WhereStowe: 850-license cap from September 15, 20264,13
GuestsEight guests without a fire-safety inspection9
Listing displayPost and share the state safety guidance3
PlatformsPlatforms must pass on the safety guidance3
SafetySmoke alarms in every sleeping room and on every level9
NeighborsStowe: respond within 45 minutes4

Your home

Can You Host an Airbnb in Vermont? It Depends on the Home

Whether you can host in Vermont turns on whose home it is and whether you live there.

Your own home, rented whole while you're away

Allowed with conditions

Allowed. The state asks for no license for one or two units, but the home must meet the fire-safety checklist and taxes apply. Stowe issues a Homestead license for up to two units, Burlington allows it in the host's primary residence, and Killington and Dover require their annual registrations.5,13,14,16,17

A room in your home with you present

Allowed

Allowed. The state rooms tax and surcharge apply once the rental passes 14 days a year. Burlington registers a room in the host's primary residence for $80 with no inspection; other towns apply their registry or permit.7,18

A second home or investment property you don't live in

Allowed with conditions

Depends on the town. Stowe needs a General license within the 850 cap, which new owners get only through the annual lottery (20 licenses in 2027 and 2028), and Burlington allows it only for seasonal homes and a few affordable-housing cases. Killington, Dover, Warren and Wilmington allow it with their registration or permit.4,13,14,16,17,20,21

A building with three or more rental units, or any prepared food

Allowed with conditions

Allowed with a Health Department lodging license; a separate food service license is needed for anything beyond prepackaged items, whole fruit or coffee. The 3% surcharge does not apply to licensed lodging.5,6

A rented apartment (tenant hosting)

Allowed with conditions

Burlington lets a tenant short-term rent their own primary residence; elsewhere the town registry or zoning permit and the lease decide.17

Permit

Do You Need a License for Airbnb in Vermont?

No. No state license is needed for one or two units with no prepared food. Hosts in towns with a registry or zoning permit must register or apply there, and operators of three or more units or any food service need a Health Department lodging license.5,6,12,13,14,15,16,18,21

Issued by
Each town or city (Stowe, Killington, Dover, Burlington, Warren and Wilmington each run their own); the Vermont Department of Health issues the lodging license for three or more units
Valid for
Set by each town: Stowe licenses run May 1 to April 30, Killington registrations run November 1 to October 31, and Burlington fees are due each April 1. No state license term applies to one or two units.
On listings
The number must appear on every listing
Platform checks
Airbnb collects the Vermont taxes under its own account number, and state law requires platforms to pass the state safety guidance to hosts; Stowe requires its registration number in the advertisement.

Fees

Fees
FeeAmount
Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax accountRegistering with the Department of Taxes is free; it is needed only for bookings made off a platform that collects the tax.$0
Stowe registration and annual renewalRegistration and renewal fees were both $100 in August 2026; the lottery fee for new licenses has not been set.$100
Dover registrationPer property that rents more than 14 nights a year.$125
Burlington registration, room in your own homePartial short-term rental; no inspection required.$80
Burlington registration, whole unitWhole-unit short-term rental; an inspection is required.$220
Killington registration (studio or 1 bedroom to 6 bedrooms)The posted schedule runs from $300 for a studio or one bedroom to $600 for six bedrooms, with no pro-rating.$300

Who qualifies

  • State: one or two units and no prepared food means no Health Department lodging license; three or more units, or fewer units with prepared food, need one
  • Stowe: a General license within the 850-license cap, or an uncapped Homestead license for up to two units on the owner's primary-residence parcel
  • Burlington: in most cases the host must live in the home or on the same lot or building; seasonal homes are an exception
  • Wilmington: every short-term rental needs a zoning permit before use
  • Sleeping more than 8 guests needs an occupancy inspection from the Division of Fire Safety

How to apply

  1. Check your town's rules first: Stowe, Killington, Dover, Burlington, Warren and Wilmington each have an ordinance or zoning permit.
  2. Register or apply on the town's portal or with its zoning administrator and pay the annual fee.
  3. Complete and keep on site the state Short Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations form; it is not filed with the state.
  4. Open a Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account in myVTax only if you take bookings outside a platform that collects the tax.

Permit rules

No state license for one or two units
Short-term rentals of two or fewer units with no prepared food do not need a lodging license; the state sets safety and tax rules instead of a host permit.5
Lodging license for three or more units or food
A Health Department lodging license is required for a lodging business with three or more guest rooms, or fewer units if the host also prepares food; the application goes in at least 30 days before opening.6 Applies to: operators of three or more units or food service
Post and share the state safety guidance
Operators must post the Division of Fire Safety's short-term rental guidance in a conspicuous place in the rental and include it with the listing.3 In force since June 17, 2024
Platforms must pass on the safety guidance
Online platforms and travel agents that facilitate short-term rentals in Vermont must make the state's health and safety guidance available to hosts.3 In force since June 17, 2024
Stowe: register, pay $100, show the number
Stowe owners register each rental unit on the town portal and pay a $100 fee per unit; the registration number must appear in the advertisement.4,12 Applies to: Stowe
Killington: annual registration by November 15
Killington requires a registration from the Zoning Administrator for each short-term rental unit, running November 1 to October 31 and renewed by November 15, with no pro-rated fee.14,15 Applies to: Killington
Dover: register for $125 a year
Dover requires every property that rents more than 14 nights a year to register through the town portal for $125 a year, with a fire-safety self-certification, bear-proof trash storage and a contact who can respond within one hour.16 Applies to: Dover
Burlington: $80 for a room, $220 for a whole unit
Burlington registers short-term rentals annually through its Housing Division: $80 for a room in the host's primary residence and $220 for a whole unit.18 Applies to: Burlington
Warren: ordinance requires licensing
Warren adopted a short-term rental ordinance on September 17, 2025 that requires disclosure and licensing of rentals, with an online application and a town administrator.20 Applies to: Warren · In force since September 17, 2025

Who can host

What Vermont Cities and Counties Can and Can't Regulate

Towns regulate by ordinance
Vermont towns adopt their own short-term rental ordinances under the general municipal powers in 24 V.S.A. § 2291 and chapter 59, which is how Warren and Stowe set their rules.20
Stowe: 850-license cap from September 15, 2026
Stowe caps General short-term rental licenses at 850. Roughly 1,300 existing registrations convert to licenses and shrink to 850 through attrition, and new licenses come only from an annual lottery when the count is under the cap.4,13 Applies to: Stowe · In force since September 15, 2026
Stowe: Homestead license outside the cap
Owners whose primary residence is in Stowe can hold a Homestead license for up to two units on that parcel, with no cap on the number of Homestead licenses; there is no owner residency requirement to rent under a General license.13 Applies to: Stowe · In force since July 22, 2026
Burlington: host must live on site
In most cases a Burlington host must live in the rental or on the same lot or in the same building, and may register only one short-term rental; seasonal homes are an exception.17 Applies to: Burlington · In force since August 3, 2022
Wilmington: zoning permit before use
Every short-term rental in Wilmington needs a zoning permit before use, and renting to more than 8 guests needs two additional permits.21 Applies to: Wilmington

Local rules

Local Rules in Vermont's 6 Largest Airbnb Markets

A state license doesn't replace local rules. Cities and counties still set registration, occupancy, parking and safety requirements. These are Vermont's largest markets by active Airbnb listings, with the share of each market's listings that display a registration or license number.

  1. 1. Stowe

    Lamoille County

    Stowe turned its registry into a license system on July 22, 2026 and caps General licenses at 850 from September 15, 2026. Owners with a primary residence in town can hold up to two Homestead licenses outside the cap, and new General licenses come only from an annual lottery.4,12,13

    • General licenses capped at 850; about 1,300 registrations convert and shrink by attrition
    • Homestead license for up to two units on the owner's primary-residence parcel, no cap
    • Registration and renewal $100 per unit; licenses run May 1 to April 30
    • Licenses do not transfer in a sale; responsible person within 45 minutes

  2. 2. Killington

    Rutland County

    Killington requires a separate registration from the Zoning Administrator for each short-term rental unit, renewed each year by November 15. Occupancy is two guests per approved bedroom plus two, and the posted fee schedule runs from $300 to $600 by bedroom count.14,15

    • Registration per unit, November 1 to October 31, renew by November 15
    • Fees $300 (studio or 1 bedroom) to $600 (6 bedrooms) on the 2023-2024 schedule
    • Occupancy two guests per approved bedroom plus two
    • Off-street parking only; insurance declaration and an operator reachable by phone

  3. 3. Dover

    Windham County

    Dover requires every property that rents more than 14 nights a year to register through the town portal for $125 a year. Registrants upload a fire-safety self-certification, show bear-proof trash storage and name a contact who can respond within one hour.16

    • Register if renting more than 14 nights a year; $125 a year per property
    • Fire and safety self-certification; occupancy certificate for 9 or more guests
    • Bear-proof trash and recycling storage
    • Point of contact able to respond within 1 hour, 24/7

  4. 4. Burlington

    Chittenden County

    Burlington has required hosts to register short-term rentals each year since August 3, 2022, and in most cases the host must live in the home or on the same lot or building. Registration costs $80 for a room and $220 for a whole unit, and the city charges a 9% gross receipts tax on top of the state taxes.17,18,19

    • Host must live on site in most cases; one short-term rental per host
    • Registration $80 (room) or $220 (whole unit); whole units are inspected
    • 9% city gross receipts tax, collected by Airbnb
    • Enforcement by housing orders, ticket fines and court actions

  5. 5. Warren

    Washington County

    Warren adopted a short-term rental ordinance on September 17, 2025 that requires disclosure and licensing of rentals. Hosts apply online and questions go to the town's Short Term Rental Administrator.20

    • Ordinance adopted September 17, 2025
    • Disclosure and licensing of short-term rentals
    • Online application; Short Term Rental Administrator handles questions

  6. 6. Wilmington

    Windham County

    Wilmington requires a zoning permit before any short-term rental is used. Renting to more than 8 guests needs two additional permits, and the town charges the 1% local option rooms tax.8,21

    • Zoning permit required before use
    • More than 8 guests needs two additional permits
    • Use the town's STR checklist with the zoning permit application

Taxes

Vermont Short-Term Rental Taxes

12% on the rent and cleaning fee statewide (9% rooms tax plus 3% surcharge), 13% in towns with the 1% local option tax, and 21% in Burlington with its 9% city tax.

Vermont Short-Term Rental Taxes
TaxRateCollected by
Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax (rooms) 9% of the rent, including cleaning and guest fees, for stays of 29 nights or fewer9%1,22Airbnb
Short-term rental surcharge 3% of the rent, on top of the rooms tax, since August 1, 2024; not charged on licensed lodging establishments3%2,5,22Airbnb
Local option rooms tax 1% in towns that voted for it, including Stowe, Killington, Ludlow, Dover, Hartford, Manchester and Wilmington1%8,22Airbnb
Burlington gross receipts tax on short-term rentals 9% of the rent in Burlington, paid to the city in addition to the state taxes9%17,19Airbnb

What the host still handles

  • A Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account (free) with the Department of Taxes for any booking made off a platform that collects the tax; returns go on Form MRT-441 and must be filed electronically in myVTax
  • A City of Burlington gross receipts account for listings on platforms other than Airbnb, with monthly returns
  • The town registration or zoning permit where the town requires one (Stowe, Killington, Dover, Burlington, Warren, Wilmington)
  • A Health Department lodging license for three or more units or any prepared food5,7,8,19,22

Operating rules

Operating Rules for Vermont Short-Term Rentals

What counts as a short-term rental
Vermont defines a short-term rental as a furnished home, condominium or room rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days and for more than 14 days a year, and the definition covers entire units and single rooms.5
Eight guests without a fire-safety inspection
A single dwelling unit rented to guests may sleep 8 people or fewer unless a Division of Fire Safety report sets a different occupant load; sleeping more needs a change-of-use inspection.9
Smoke alarms in every sleeping room and on every level
Photoelectric or UL 217 8th Edition smoke alarms are required near sleeping rooms, inside each sleeping room and on all floors including the basement; new alarms must be hard-wired.9
Carbon monoxide alarms on every occupied level
Carbon monoxide alarms go outside each sleeping area and on every occupied level including the basement, and must be wired to the building's electrical service with battery backup.9
Inspections follow complaints
The Division of Fire Safety inspects short-term rentals against the Rental Housing Health and Safety Code in response to complaints about unsafe or unsanitary conditions.3,6
9% rooms tax on every stay
Operators collect a 9% tax on the rent of each occupancy, including cleaning and guest fees on Airbnb, for stays of 29 nights or fewer.1,22
3% short-term rental surcharge
Since August 1, 2024 operators of short-term rentals collect a further 3% surcharge on the rent; it does not apply to licensed lodging establishments.2,5 In force since August 1, 2024
Rooms tax applies from the 15th rental day
A private owner who rents accommodations for 15 or more days in a calendar year must collect the rooms tax, and the first 14 days are taxable too.7
Stowe: respond within 45 minutes
Each Stowe rental needs a designated responsible person who can arrive in person within 45 minutes of a call from a Stowe firefighter or police officer, plus fire department lockbox access.4 Applies to: Stowe
Killington: two guests per bedroom plus two
Killington caps occupancy at two guests per approved bedroom plus two more, so a three-bedroom home sleeps 8; condominium occupancy follows the Act 250 permit.14 Applies to: Killington

Fines

How to Avoid Airbnb Fines in Vermont

Fines in Vermont fall on hosting outside the rules above. With the rules followed, none of the fines below apply.

  • State administrative penalty of up to $1,000 per violation when a rental does not correct violations found in a Division of Fire Safety inspection report.3
  • Stowe civil penalties run $200 for a first offense, $400, $600, then $800 for a fourth and later offense in a May to April year, with waiver fees of $100 to $400 for those who do not contest; each day counts as a separate offense once seven days have passed after notice.4
  • Burlington enforces its short-term rental rules with housing orders for unregistered or uninspected rentals, municipal ticket fines and court actions to stop the use.17
  • Killington treats a missing registration, or advertising more guests than the approved maximum, as a zoning bylaw violation that is enforced.14

Changes

What's Changed in Vermont's Airbnb Rules, and What's Next

3 changes are scheduled after October 20, 2026; the most recent rules are listed first.

  1. July 2027 Upcoming
    Next Stowe license lottery

    The next opportunity to obtain a Stowe license is the July 2027 lottery, which will issue 20 licenses if none are available under the cap.12,13

  2. April 30, 2027 Upcoming
    First Stowe license renewal deadline

    Stowe licenses must be renewed with the renewal fee by April 30, 2027, and by each April 30 after that, or the right to rent lapses.4

  3. January 1, 2027 Upcoming
    Stowe licensees may renew regardless of the cap

    From January 1, 2027 every holder of a valid Stowe license may submit a renewal form for the next year even while the town is over the 850 limit.4

  4. September 15, 2026
    Stowe cap takes effect

    From September 15, 2026 Stowe issues no more than 850 General licenses; existing registrations convert to licenses and new licenses come through the annual lottery.4,13

  5. July 22, 2026
    Stowe adopts a license cap

    The Stowe Selectboard adopted amendments that turn the registry into a license system with a cap of 850 General licenses and an uncapped Homestead license.13

  6. September 17, 2025
    Warren adopts a short-term rental ordinance

    The Warren Selectboard adopted an ordinance requiring disclosure and licensing of short-term rentals.20

  7. February 18, 2025 Lapsed
    Statewide registration bill H.242 does not advance

    H.242 would have created statewide short-term rental registration and operating limits, with towns able to opt out; it was referred to the House General and Housing Committee on February 18, 2025 and shows no later action.11

  8. August 1, 2024
    3% short-term rental surcharge begins

    Act 183 of 2024 added a 3% surcharge on short-term rental rent, on top of the 9% rooms tax and any 1% local option tax.2,5

  9. June 17, 2024
    Hosts and platforms must share the state safety guidance

    Under 20 V.S.A. § 2678, operators post the Division of Fire Safety guidance in the rental and with the listing, and platforms make it available to hosts.3

Listing data

What Vermont's Listings Show

What officials report

1,300
Stowe General STR licenses for 2026-2027 · as of September 2026Stowe expects approximately 1,300 General licenses for the 2026-2027 registration year, above the 850 cap, to shrink to 850 through attrition.13

Earnings

What Could a Short-Term Rental in Vermont Earn?

The rules shape the numbers: taxes of 12% that Airbnb adds to guests' bills. For a specific address, the short-term rental calculator estimates revenue, occupancy and nightly rate from comparable listings, so you can test the numbers before applying.

Estimate what a home could earn

FAQ

Vermont Short-Term Rental Laws: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Vermont?

Yes. Vermont requires no state license for one or two units with no prepared food, but hosts must meet state fire-safety rules and charge lodging taxes, and many towns such as Stowe, Killington, Dover and Burlington require their own registration.4,5,9,14,16,17

Do I need a permit or license for Airbnb in Vermont?

Not from the state for one or two units with no prepared food; a Health Department lodging license is needed for three or more units or food service. Towns set their own registrations or permits, for example Stowe, Killington, Dover, Burlington and Warren, and Wilmington requires a zoning permit.5,6,14,16,17,20,21

How much does a short-term rental registration cost in Vermont?

The state tax account is free. Towns charge their own fees: Stowe $100 per unit a year, Dover $125 a year, Burlington $80 for a room or $220 for a whole unit, and Killington $300 to $600 a year depending on bedrooms.5,12,15,16,18

Can I rent a home I don't live in?

It depends on the town. Stowe allows it under a General license within the 850 cap, Burlington allows it only for seasonal homes and a few affordable-housing cases, and Killington, Dover, Warren and Wilmington allow it with their registration or permit.13,14,16,17,20,21

Does Airbnb collect hotel or rooms tax in Vermont?

Yes. Airbnb collects and remits the 9% rooms tax, the 3% short-term rental surcharge and any 1% local option tax to the Vermont Department of Taxes, plus the Burlington city tax; a host who rents only on a platform does not need a Vermont tax account.5,22

What is the total lodging tax on a Vermont Airbnb stay?

12% statewide (9% rooms tax plus 3% surcharge), 13% in towns with the 1% local option tax such as Stowe, Killington and Dover, and 21% in Burlington, which adds a 9% city tax.5,8,17

What is the fine for an illegal short-term rental in Vermont?

The state can impose up to $1,000 per violation for uncorrected fire-safety findings, and Stowe's civil penalties run from $200 to $800 per offense. Burlington uses housing orders, ticket fines and court actions.3,4,17

How many guests can I host?

A single dwelling unit is limited to 8 guests unless the Division of Fire Safety sets another occupant load after an inspection. Killington allows two guests per approved bedroom plus two.9,14

What safety rules apply to a Vermont short-term rental?

Smoke alarms in every sleeping room and on every level, carbon monoxide alarms on every occupied level, a secondary escape from each sleeping room, and the state safety form completed and kept on site.9,10

Do I need to show a registration number on my Airbnb listing?

In Stowe, yes: the registration number must be in the advertisement. Statewide, the state safety guidance must be included with the listing.3,4

Can a Vermont town cap short-term rentals?

Yes. Stowe capped General licenses at 850 from September 15, 2026, and a statewide bill (H.242) that would have set uniform limits did not advance.4,11,13

When do I need a Health Department lodging license?

When you offer three or more guest rooms or units, or fewer units while preparing food. Airbnb-style rentals of fewer than three units with no prepared food do not need one.6

Method

How These Rules Were Checked

Each rule on this page was checked in October 2026 against the official source cited beside it: the ordinance or statute, the permit office's own pages and the tax authority. Airbnb's help pages are cited on their own only for what Airbnb itself does, such as the taxes it collects and the permit checks it runs, and otherwise only beside an official source; news reports only for when a change was announced. Rules that could not be confirmed on an official page are left out. The Stowe and Dover registration pages were read in a browser, and the Stowe ordinance and guide PDFs and the Warren page were read from Internet Archive copies.

Rules change with council votes, court rulings and new state laws, so the page is rechecked every three months and whenever a scheduled change takes effect. It summarizes the rules for information and is not legal advice; the state agency and your city or county has the final word on any application.

Sources

Sources

Each rule above links to the source it comes from. Official ordinances, statutes and government pages come first, then Airbnb's own help pages.

  1. 1. 32 V.S.A. § 9241 - Imposition of tax · Vermont Legislature
  2. 2. 32 V.S.A. § 9301 - Imposition; short-term rental impact surcharge · Vermont Legislature
  3. 3. 20 V.S.A. chapter 172 - Rental Housing Health and Safety · Vermont Legislature
  4. 4. Short-Term Rental Ordinance (July 2026) · Town of Stowe
  5. 5. Short-Term Rentals · Vermont Department of Taxes
  6. 6. Lodging Establishments · Vermont Department of Health
  7. 7. Vermont Rooms Taxes for Business (FS-1021) · Vermont Department of Taxes
  8. 8. Local Option Tax · Vermont Department of Taxes
  9. 9. Short-Term Rental / Transient Lodging · Vermont Division of Fire Safety
  10. 10. Short Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations · Vermont Department of Taxes, Department of Health and Division of Fire Safety
  11. 11. Bill Status H.242 - An act relating to regulating short-term rentals · Vermont Legislature
  12. 12. Short-Term Rental Registration · Town of Stowe
  13. 13. Stowe Short-Term Rental Ordinance Guide 2026 · Town of Stowe
  14. 14. Short-Term Rental Registration · Town of Killington
  15. 15. Annual Short-Term Rental Registration Fees 2023-2024 · Town of Killington
  16. 16. Short-Term Rental Registration · Town of Dover
  17. 17. Short Term Rentals - Frequently Asked Questions · City of Burlington
  18. 18. FAQ - Rental Property Owners · City of Burlington Permitting and Inspections
  19. 19. Gross Receipts Tax · City of Burlington Clerk Treasurer
  20. 20. Short Term Rental Agreement (ordinance adopted 09-17-2025) · Town of Warren
  21. 21. Zoning · Town of Wilmington
  22. 22. Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Vermont · Airbnb Help Center