Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Rockingham County

Conditional

STR Status

Permit: Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/7/2026
120Annual Cap
75 ftBuffer Distance

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Renewalannual
Business License RequiredNot specified
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredYes

Limits & Restrictions

Max Nights Per Year120
Density / Distance Cap75 ft
Parking RequiredYes

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Zoning Restrictions

  • Allowed only where permitted by Section 10.440 use table; requires special exception from Zoning Board of Adjustment; not allowed in all districts

Official Sources

Data confidence: 88%Last updated: June 7, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire are allowed under certain conditions. Operators must obtain a permit.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed under certain conditions in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

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

A short-term rental permit is required.

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

Yes — Portsmouth sets a cap of 120 rental nights per year.

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

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