Watertown, Massachusetts

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Middlesex County

Allowed (Permit Required)

STR Status

Permit: RequiredBusiness License Required
State-level data: No city- or county-specific STR ordinance found. Showing Massachusetts statewide rules (tax, registration, and any state preemption) that apply here.
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/16/2026

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Official Sources

mass.gov/info-details/room-occupancy-excise-tax
Data confidence: 92%Last updated: June 16, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Watertown, Massachusetts

Watertown has no city- or county-specific short-term-rental ordinance, so Massachusetts statewide rules apply — under which short-term rentals are allowed with a permit. Operators must obtain a permit.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Watertown, Massachusetts?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed with a permit in Watertown, Massachusetts.

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

A short-term rental permit is required, a business license is also required.

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

These details are verified against Watertown'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 Watertown, Middlesex County, or Massachusetts authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.