Washington, District of Columbia

Short-Term Rental Regulations — District of Columbia

Conditional

STR Status

Permit: RequiredOwner Occupancy Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/7/2026

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
License Cost$99.00 for two years
Renewalevery 2 years
Business License RequiredNot specified
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredYes
Primary Residence RequiredYes
Insurance RequiredYes

Limits & Restrictions

Max Nights Per Yearno limit for STR; 90 nights per calendar year for vacation rental
Parking RequiredNo

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Zoning Restrictions

  • allowed in any neighborhood or zone with valid license

Official Sources

Data confidence: 97%Last updated: June 7, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Washington, District of Columbia

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Washington, District of Columbia are allowed under certain conditions. Operators must obtain a permit (fee: $99.00 for two years). The property must be owner-occupied.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Washington, District of Columbia?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed under certain conditions in Washington, District of Columbia. The property must be owner-occupied.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Washington?

A short-term rental permit is required, the fee is $99.00 for two years.

Are there stay limits for short-term rentals in Washington?

Yes — Washington sets a cap of 90 rental nights per year.

Where do these Washington short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Washington's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Washington, District of Columbia, or District of Columbia authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.