Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in East Boston (and throughout the City of Boston) subject to the City of Boston’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Boston Municipal Code Chapter 9-14). STRs are defined as the residential use of a unit for fewer than 28 consecutive days for a fee. The City permits three STR unit types—Limited Share, Home Share, and Owner-Adjacent—subject to strict eligibility, registration, and operational requirements. East Boston follows the same rules as other Boston neighborhoods; there are no separate city neighborhood–specific regulations beyond those that apply citywide. [1][2]

Notes on allowed unit types:

• Owner occupancy and primary residency are mandatory (see “Unit Types and Eligibility” below).
• Owner-Adjacent units are limited to two- or three-family buildings where the owner-occupant owns all units.
• Operating a “whole unit” listing is limited to one at a time; you cannot simultaneously run a Home Share (whole-unit) and an Owner-Adjacent whole unit from the same property. [2]

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

The City of Boston’s Inspectional Services Department (ISD) administers the STR registry. The process is standardized citywide and applies to East Boston. The following is a concise, investor-focused checklist that aligns with the ordinance and City guidance. [1][2]

Step-by-step process

1. Confirm eligibility before applying

• Use the City’s STR eligibility tool to pre-check your unit(s): data.boston.gov/dataset/short-term-rental-eligibility/resource/83621b97-9a00-4aa7-bf43-28cae04969d4 [1]
• Confirm zoning and building classification as residential; verify you have clear title and that condo/HOA bylaws allow STRs (certification is required at registration). [2]

2. Prepare primary residence evidence You must prove primary residency with at least two of the following: [1][2]

• Proof of residential exemption
• Utility bill (gas, electric, oil, or water) with service and mailing addresses
• Voter registration (paper certificate from Elections Department)
• Motor vehicle registration
• Deed
• Driver’s license or state-issued identification

3. Register your unit(s)

• Online registration portal: onlinepermitsandlicenses.boston.gov/isd/ShortTermRental/ [1]
• Provide: operator name, unit address, unit type (Limited Share, Home Share, Owner-Adjacent), and local contact capable of responding in person within two hours (24/7 phone required). [2]

4. Pay annual registration fee and receive your registration number

• Limited Share: $25/year; Home Share: $200/year; Owner-Adjacent: $200/year. [2]
• Licenses run on a calendar year basis (January 1–December 31). [2]

5. Obtain a business certificate

• Required after registration approval and fee payment. Apply through the City Clerk. [1]

6. Ongoing compliance steps

• Post a safety sign in the unit showing locations of fire extinguishers, exits, and pull fire alarms. [1][2]
• Include your City registration number on every listing/advertisement. [2]
• Notify abutters (residential dwellings within 300 feet) within 30 days of license issuance. [1][2]
• Maintain records for at least three years demonstrating compliance (owner residency, days offered, etc.). [2]

7. Renew annually and update any changes

• Licenses do not transfer on sale; new owners must re-register. If you cease to use the unit as your primary residence, you must remove it from the registry immediately. [2]

Investor-specific considerations

• Owner-Adjacent: You may register your primary residence unit as Limited Share or Home Share and, in addition, one Owner-Adjacent unit in the same two- or three-family property (owner must own all units and occupy one). [2]
• Multiple listings: You may only offer one whole-unit listing at a time; you cannot simultaneously run a whole-unit Home Share and an Owner-Adjacent whole-unit. [2]
• Condo/HOA: You must certify at registration that your STR complies with condo documents and bylaws; noncompliance can result in enforcement. [2]

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City-level requirements

• Short-Term Rental registration (ISD) [1][2]
• Annual fee: $25 (Limited Share), $200 (Home Share), $200 (Owner-Adjacent) [2]
• Registration number displayed on all listings [2]
• Business certificate (City Clerk) after registration approval [1]
• Primary residency proof: at least two of the items listed above [1][2]
• Safety posting (fire extinguisher, exit locations, pull alarms) [1][2]
• Abutter notification within 30 days of license issuance [1][2]
• Local contact with 24/7 phone able to respond in person within two hours [2]
• Record retention: three years [2]
• Operator compliance with all applicable laws, codes, and Fair Housing Act; delivery standards for rental units remain applicable where relevant [2]

State-level requirements

• Massachusetts Room Occupancy Excise Tax (M.G.L. c. 64G): Generally 5.7% for Boston (state portion) plus applicable local taxes (Boston room occupancy excise and convention center surcharge). Registration with Massachusetts Department of Revenue may be required. Hosts using booking agents should verify that the platform remits occupancy taxes; otherwise, the operator is responsible. [2][3]

Exemptions and special cases

• Stays of 28 consecutive days or longer are not considered STRs. [1][2]
• Units under contract with hospitals or certain institutions for lodging related to treatment; corporate housing with minimum 10-day stays, under contract with a corporate housing operator and an institution/business. Documentation must be provided upon request. [2]
• Licensed lodging houses and existing bed and breakfasts have alternate treatment under the ordinance but must still register (fees may not apply). [2]

Data, tooling, and public transparency

• Public STR data and eligibility tool: data.boston.gov/dataset/short-term-rental-eligibility/resource/83621b97-9a00-4aa7-bf43-28cae04969d4 [1]

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Boston (East Boston falls under these rules)

Unit types and operating rules

• Limited Share: Rent a private bedroom(s) in your primary residence while you are present. Max three guest bedrooms or six guests (whichever is fewer). [2]
• Home Share: Rent your entire primary residence while you are away. Max five bedrooms or 10 guests (whichever is fewer). [2]
• Owner-Adjacent: Rent an additional unit in the same two- or three-family building where you own all units and occupy one; owner must own all units. [2]

Eligibility criteria and disqualifications

• Prohibited units: income-restricted or affordability-covenant units; properties subject to any law prohibiting leasing/subleasing or STR use; properties designated as “Problem Properties” or owned by a Problem Property owner; units with three or more violations (STR-related, noise, trash, disorderly conduct, building/fire/sanitary codes) in six months; any outstanding violations. Such units are ineligible; ongoing violations can trigger license suspension until cured. [2]
• Owner-occupancy: Unit must be your primary residence (nine months out of 12), demonstrated as noted above. [2]
• Residential use only: Hotels, motels, executive suites, congregate living, elderly housing, group residences, shelters, orphanages, temporary dwellings, and transitional housing are excluded. [2]

Operational requirements

• One whole-unit listing at a time; cannot operate a Home Share and Owner-Adjacent whole unit concurrently. [2]
• Registration number on all listings. [2]
• Safety signage posted inside the unit. [2]
• Abutter notification (within 300 feet) within 30 days of license issuance. [2]
• Local contact capable of responding in person within two hours; 24/7 phone number must be provided. [2]
• Compliance with Fair Housing and all applicable codes; delivery standards and long-term rental registry requirements apply where relevant (e.g., properties with long-term rental units must maintain a current registry for Owner-Adjacent licensing). [2]

Taxes and recordkeeping

• Collect and remit Massachusetts Room Occupancy Excise and any applicable local occupancy taxes; booking agents may handle collection/remittance under agreement with the City; otherwise, the operator is responsible. [2]
• Maintain records for three years (owner residency, days offered, etc.). [2]

Penalties and enforcement (selected highlights)

• Offering an ineligible unit: $300 per violation per day; injunctive relief available. [2]
• Failure to register or operating while suspended: $100 per violation per day. [2]
• Failure to comply with a notice of violation: $100 per violation per day; each day of noncompliance constitutes a separate violation. [2]
• Booking agents: Must enter into agreements with the City to assist enforcement (e.g., removing ineligible or over-limit listings); failure may result in being barred from operating in Boston. [2]

Contact Information for the Local Authority in Charge of STRs

City of Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) – Housing Division

• Phone: 617-635-5300 [1]
• Email: shorttermrentals@boston.gov [1]
• Address: ISD Housing Division, 1010 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118 [1]
• Online STR registration: onlinepermitsandlicenses.boston.gov/isd/ShortTermRental/ [1]
• Public STR eligibility data/tool: data.boston.gov/dataset/short-term-rental-eligibility/resource/83621b97-9a00-4aa7-bf43-28cae04969d4 [1]
• Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Boston Municipal Code Chapter 9-14): www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/document-file-08-2018/short-term_rental_ordinance.pdf [2]

Notes for investors

• No separate East Boston authority or office; the above City contacts govern all Boston neighborhoods, including East Boston.
• Use ISD as the primary point of contact for registration, compliance questions, and enforcement.

Links to Source Pages

• Boston ISD Short-Term Rentals program overview and registration portal: www.boston.gov/departments/inspectional-services/short-term-rentals [1]
• City of Boston Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Chapter 9-14): www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/document-file-08-2018/short-term_rental_ordinance.pdf [2]
• Airbnb Host Guide – Boston, MA (registration, tax, and practical guidance): www.airbnb.com/help/article/859 [3]
• City STR Eligibility Tool and public data: data.boston.gov/dataset/short-term-rental-eligibility/resource/83621b97-9a00-4aa7-bf43-28cae04969d4 [1]

Key takeaways for East Boston STR investors

• STRs are allowed but heavily regulated and owner-occupant centric.
• Registration, clear primary-residency proof, business certificate, abutter notice, safety signage, and display of the registration number on listings are mandatory.
• One whole-unit listing at a time; Owner-Adjacent is only for a second unit in a two- or three-family property you fully own and occupy.
• State room occupancy taxes apply; ensure proper registration and remittance or confirm your platform handles it.
• Keep meticulous records and monitor compliance—violations can trigger suspension or fines.