Overview: Short-term rentals are allowed in Roxbury, Connecticut but they are strictly regulated under Chapter 18 of the Town Ordinances. No one may offer to rent or operate a short-term rental (STR) without a valid permit issued by the Town. Permits are limited to two per owner and must be renewed annually. Existing STRs operating before the ordinance’s effective date may continue if they qualify as “Pre-existing STRs” and apply within the grace period. Hourly rentals are prohibited. STRs must operate consistently with Roxbury’s quiet residential character, comply with all applicable laws (including zoning and the Connecticut Room Occupancy Tax), and meet detailed safety, occupancy, and conduct standards. Violations are subject to fines, suspension, or revocation.

Legal Status of Short-Term Rentals in Roxbury

• Allowed with a permit. STRs are defined as furnished living space in a dwelling unit rented for compensation for 21 consecutive days or less.
• A valid Roxbury STR Permit is required to offer to rent or operate an STR. Operating without a permit after any applicable grace period is a violation.
• Owner is responsible for ensuring renters comply with all restrictions and neighborhood protections.
• Hourly rentals are prohibited.
• Pre-existing STR exception: Owners who rented STRs at least twice during the one-year period before the ordinance’s effective date may continue operating as long as they obtain a permit within the grace period and demonstrate that all applicable Connecticut Room Occupancy Taxes are current at the effective date. The Pre-existing STR exception is nontransferable to new owners.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Roxbury

• Confirm eligibility: You may hold no more than two active STR permits at a time (counting entities under common control).
• Prepare required documents and fees:
  • Completed and signed STR application and affidavit.
  • Primary and Alternate Points of Contact (names, 24/7 cell phone numbers, and emails).
  • Permit fee: $200 for the first year; $130 for annual renewals.
  • Fire, Safety & Building Code Compliance affidavit, confirming detectors, fire extinguisher, functional windows/doors, and authorization for inspection.
  • Release of Liability (signed by owner).
  • Emergency exits diagram.
  • Information Packet for renters (occupancy, use restrictions, parking, trash, contact info, 911 instructions, exit map, trespass rules).
• Submit to the First Selectman’s Office (Roxbury Town Hall, 29 North Street, Roxbury, CT 06783).
• The Short-Term Rental Enforcement Official (SREO) will review within 21 days. If approved, permits are valid for one year, starting on the 1st or 15th of the month depending on issuance date.
• Renewals are allowed only if the prior permit was not revoked. If a permit lapses for eight months or more, it is treated as a new application.
• Maintain good standing: no delinquent property taxes; no outstanding zoning, wetlands, health, building, or fire safety code violations.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Short-Term Rental Application
  • Owner(s) identity (as recorded by the Tax Assessor).
  • Primary and Alternate Point of Contact (name, email, cell phone).
  • Rental unit details (address, bedrooms, off-street parking).
  • Permit fee ($200 initial; $130 renewal).
  • Signed application and liability release.
• Safety/Compliance Affidavit
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed per Town/State codes.
  • Working fire extinguisher present whenever the STR is used.
  • Properly functioning windows and doors; sleeping accommodations meet state building code.
  • Authorization for Town officials to inspect when safety violations are reported.
• Information Packet (for guests)
  • Maximum occupancy (SREO set).
  • Noise and use restrictions.
  • Off-street parking locations.
  • Trash receptacle locations.
  • Points of Contact (phone and email).
  • Emergency Services information (911).
  • Emergency exits diagram.
  • Renters’ responsibilities (no trespass, no disturbance, compliance with this chapter).
• Emergency exits diagram.
• Proof of current taxes and no outstanding citations.
• Occupancy Limit Documents (if seeking higher occupancy beyond two people per bedroom, you must provide current health district approval and fire marshal approval).
• No sign permit is needed—signs are not permitted on STR properties. Commercial-type uses and events are prohibited. Renters must park off-street (no public street parking for guests).

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Roxbury

Permitting and Ownership

• No more than two STR permits per owner or common owner(s) at any time (counting partnerships, LLCs, trusts, and beneficial owners as “common owners”).
• Pre-existing STR exception applies only to properties that were rented at least twice in the year before the ordinance’s effective date and is nontransferable to new owners.
• Permit term is one year, beginning on the 1st or 15th of the month depending on issuance date.
• No transfer of permits to new property owners.
• Renewal allowed only if the prior permit was not revoked. A permit lapsed for eight months or more is treated as a new application.

Eligibility and Good Standing

• Property taxes must be current.
• No outstanding zoning, wetlands, health code, building code, or fire safety code violations.
• The SREO may deny applications for insufficient information, failure to meet requirements, tax delinquency, or outstanding code violations.

Occupancy and Accommodations

• Default occupancy is two people per bedroom. Children under 10 years do not count toward the occupancy limit.
• Non-habitable rooms (e.g., kitchens) may not be used as bedrooms for occupancy determination.
• Separate sleeping areas and at least one full bathroom (shared access) are required.
• Higher occupancy may be allowed only with current health district and fire marshal approvals.

Use and Conduct Restrictions

• No commercial-type uses or events (banquets, retreats, concerts, conventions, seminars, sports events, fundraisers, etc.).
• Noise and activity must be consistent with the neighborhood and not create intrusive off-site disruption.
• No disruptive parties; no “open invite” parties or events; STR may not be advertised as a party house; weddings and similar activities are not allowed for more than the permitted number of occupants.
• No trespassing.
• No concerts or band performances; no sound equipment that makes music unduly audible to adjacent properties.

Operational Requirements

• Off-street parking only (guests may not park on public streets).
• No signs advertising the STR.
• Information Packet must be available to renters; Restrictions on Use must be posted in the STR in at least 12-point font.
• Primary Point of Contact must be reachable 24/7 and respond promptly to complaints or emergencies.
• Maintain adequate insurance; Town assumes no liability for STR safety or operation.
• STR properties must comply with all state and local laws, including zoning regulations and the Connecticut Room Occupancy Tax.

Inspections and Enforcement

• Town officials may conduct inspections with at least 24-hour notice if safety violations are reported.
• SREO may immediately suspend a permit for safety violations and allow up to 30 days to correct; suspension does not delay permit expiration.
• If violations are not corrected, the SREO may revoke the permit. A new permit may not be granted for 12 months after revocation.
• Citations: Violations may result in a citation fine of the greater of $250 or the maximum allowed under Connecticut General Statutes § 7-148(b)(10). Each day a violation continues after the correction period is a separate violation.
• Warning: The SREO must provide a written warning before citations and set a compliance period (10–30 days).
• Operating without a permit after the grace period results in citation and loss of the right to apply for a permit for one year from the citation date.
• Appeals: Violations and fines may be appealed to a Hearing Officer within 10 business days; decisions follow the process in Connecticut General Statutes § 7-152c and can be appealed to Superior Court.

State-Level Context (Connecticut)

• Connecticut Public Act 24-143, Section 7: The Roxbury STR ordinance cites this act as statutory authority for municipal regulation of STRs.
• Connecticut General Statutes:
  • § 7-148(b) and § 7-148(c)(7): Authorize municipal authority to adopt ordinances for public health, safety, welfare, and regulation of land use.
  • § 7-152c: Establishes civil citation procedures and hearing processes for municipal enforcement, used for Roxbury’s citation appeals.
• Connecticut Room Occupancy Tax: STR operators must register and remit the Connecticut Room Occupancy Tax as required by state law; Roxbury’s ordinance requires STRs to be in compliance with all state tax obligations.
• State Building and Fire Codes apply via Roxbury’s Code of Ordinances (adopted in Chapter 3), including smoke/CO detection, fire extinguisher requirements, and inspections.

Contact Information

• Town Hall (First Selectman’s Office, application submissions):
  • Address: 29 North Street, Roxbury, CT 06783
  • Phone: 860-354-9969
  • Mailing Address: PO Box 203, Roxbury, CT 06783
• Short-Term Rental Enforcement Official (SREO):
  • John Cody, STR Enforcement Officer
  • Email: jcody@roxburyct.com
  • Phone: 860-354-9612
• First Selectman:
  • Patrick Roy
  • Email: proy@roxburyct.com
  • Phone: 860-354-9938

Source Links

• Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Draft, April 2025) – Ordinance Chapter 18
  • www.roxburyct.com/DocumentCenter/View/1216/STM---Ordinance---Short-Term-Rentals
• Town STR Information Page and Contacts
  • www.roxburyct.com/519/Short-Term-Rentals
• Short-Term Rental Application Form (PDF)
  • www.roxburyct.com/DocumentCenter/View/1238/Short-Term-Rental-Application
• Public Information Meeting – Draft STR Ordinance (October 23, 2024)
  • roxburyct.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=586
• Code of Ordinances (general context, authority, building code adoption)
  • roxburyct.com/DocumentCenter/View/407/Roxbury-Town-Ordinances-PDF
• Town Ordinances (Municode)
  • library.municode.com/ct/roxbury/codes/code_of_ordinances

This guide focuses exclusively on Roxbury, Connecticut. For county-level STR rules, none were provided in the source materials. All requirements above derive from Roxbury’s STR ordinance and the town’s published guidance.