Brighton, Massachusetts Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Brighton, Massachusetts?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Brighton, Massachusetts. Brighton is a neighborhood within the City of Boston, and therefore all Boston short-term rental regulations apply to properties in Brighton. Under Boston's Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinance, short-term rentals are permitted for residential units rented for fewer than 28 consecutive days, provided the property meets specific eligibility criteria and the owner complies with all registration and operational requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Brighton?

Brighton hosts earn a median $59,805/year with $235 ADR and 85% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $75,873+ per year.

See the full Brighton market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Brighton

Starting a short-term rental business in Brighton follows the same process as in any Boston neighborhood:

Step 1: Determine Your STR Category

Boston recognizes three types of short-term rentals:

Limited Share Unit: Rent a private bedroom in your primary residence while you are present
Home Share Unit: Rent your entire primary residence while you're away
Owner-Adjacent Unit: Rent one full unit in the same two- or three-unit property as your primary residence

Step 2: Verify Eligibility

Before applying, confirm your property meets all eligibility criteria:

Property must be your primary residence (you live there 9+ months per year)
Property cannot be restricted by affordability covenants
Must be in compliance with housing laws and codes
Cannot be located in a "Problem Property"
Must be classified as residential use (excludes hotels, motels, etc.)

Step 3: Complete Registration Process

Register your unit through Boston's online portal
Pay applicable registration fees
Obtain a business certificate through the City Clerk's office
Include registration number on all listings

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Registration Documents

You must provide two of the following to prove primary residence:

Proof of residential exemption
Utility bill (gas, electric, oil, or water)
Voter registration (certificate from Elections Department)
Motor vehicle registration
Deed
Driver's license or state-issued identification

Required Permits and Licenses

Short-Term Rental Registration (annual renewal required)
- Limited Share: $25 annually
- Home Share: $200 annually
- Owner-Adjacent: $200 annually
Business Certificate (through City Clerk's office)
- Fee: $65 for non-Massachusetts residents, $35 for Massachusetts residents
- Valid for 4 years
- Must be renewed every 4 years

Safety and Operational Guidelines

Post safety information inside the unit showing locations of fire extinguishers, fire exits, and pull fire alarms
Maintain liability insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000
Include registration number on all listings
Notify abutters within 300 feet within 30 days of license issuance
Comply with occupancy limits based on unit type

Specific Regulations for Brighton (Boston) STRs

Occupancy Limits

Limited Share Units: Maximum 3 guest bedrooms or 6 guests (whichever is fewer)
Home Share Units: Maximum 5 guest bedrooms or 10 guests (whichever is fewer)

Rental Restrictions

Stays of 28 consecutive days or longer are not considered short-term rentals
Only one whole unit can be rented at a time
Cannot rent both a home share unit and an owner-adjacent unit simultaneously when away

Tax Obligations

Combined tax rate of up to 17.95% applies to all stays under 28 days:

State Excise Tax (5.7%)
City Excise Tax (6.5%)
Convention Center Fee (2.75%)
Community Impact Fee (up to 3%)

Exemptions

Units with contracts for:

Hospital stays with healthcare facilities, government entities, or nonprofits
Furnished institutional/business stays (minimum 10 days with corporate housing operator contracts)

Prohibited Properties

Below market rate or income-restricted units
Units with affordability covenants
Properties with 3+ violations in 6 months (related to STR ordinance, noise, trash, disorderly conduct)
Properties in "Problem Property" designation
Congregate living complexes, elderly housing, group residences, homeless shelters, orphanages

Contact Information for Local STR Authority

Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD)

Phone: 617-635-5300
Email: shorttermrentals@boston.gov
Address: ISD Housing Division, 1010 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA, 02118
Website: www.boston.gov/departments/inspectional-services/short-term-rentals
Online Registration Portal: onlinepermitsandlicenses.boston.gov/isd/ShortTermRental/

Links to Source Pages

Boston Short-Term Rentals Main Page: www.boston.gov/departments/inspectional-services/short-term-rentals
Short-Term Rental Registration Portal: onlinepermitsandlicenses.boston.gov/isd/ShortTermRental/
Boston Short-Term Rental Ordinance: www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/document-file-08-2018/short-term_rental_ordinance.pdf
STR Eligibility Tool: data.boston.gov/dataset/short-term-rental-eligibility/resource/83621b97-9a00-4aa7-bf43-28cae04969d4
Business Certificate Application: www.boston.gov/departments/city-clerk/how-apply-business-certificate
Boston Zoning Code: www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/zoning
Massachusetts Room Occupancy Tax Guide: www.mass.gov/info-details/room-occupancy-excise-tax

This guide is based on current regulations as of the provided sources. STR laws are subject to change, and investors should verify current requirements with the City of Boston before proceeding with any STR operations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Brighton

Brighton is a neighborhood in the city of Boston, located in Suffolk County in eastern Massachusetts. The neighborhood sits along the Charles River in the western part of the city, with a population of approximately 45,000 residents. It has an urban-suburban feel, blending tree-lined residential streets with a busy commercial strip along Washington Street and a substantial student population drawn to the local university. The area serves as a convenient gateway to both downtown Boston and the western suburbs, and it lies roughly five miles west of the city's downtown core.

Boston College is the most prominent institution in Brighton, with its main Chestnut Hill campus occupying a large portion of the neighborhood. The Gothic Revival architecture, the towering Gasson Hall, and the central campus greens draw visitors throughout the year, and the university's events, lectures, and athletic games are open to the public. The campus sits within walking distance of much of Brighton and is roughly a five-minute drive from the neighborhood's center.

Just south of the campus, the Chestnut Hill Reservoir is a roughly 1.5-mile loop popular with joggers, walkers, and cyclists, offering open water views and a flat paved path that makes it one of the more accessible outdoor spaces in Boston. The reservoir is part of the historic Emerald Necklace park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and it sits a short drive from central Brighton.

The Charles River forms Brighton's southern and western border, and several access points allow for kayaking, sailing, and riverside walks. The river connects Brighton to the broader Boston waterfront and Cambridge via the Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path, which runs for several miles along the water's edge. From Brighton, downtown Boston is a short drive or T ride away, putting landmarks like Faneuil Hall, the Freedom Trail, and the Museum of Fine Arts within easy reach.

Brighton makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it combines a quieter, residential atmosphere with quick access to downtown Boston and the academic, cultural, and recreational amenities of the wider region. Visitors can stay in a neighborhood that feels distinctly local, walk to a major university campus, jog around a historic reservoir, or hop on public transit to reach the city's biggest attractions. For travelers who want proximity to Boston without the bustle of downtown hotels, Brighton offers a balance of convenience, character, and green space that tends to appeal to families, prospective students, and business visitors alike.