Overview: Are STRs allowed in Keene, NH?

• Explicit answer: Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Keene as of the latest available information (April 2025), and no city-specific STR permitting, registration, or operational ordinance is in effect. Keene is studying the issue (including grant-funded research via InvestNH) and has not enacted its own local STR rules. Statewide requirements—especially the New Hampshire Meals and Rooms (M&R) Tax and baseline safety standards—still apply. Rindge (in Cheshire County) is actively drafting local restrictions, but those proposals are not yet codified.
• Market context: Keene had roughly 49 short-term rentals in early 2023 (per a housing needs analysis), and Cheshire County overall shows about 9.5 STRs per 1,000 residents (2023), far below high-density markets such as Carroll County (100.1 per 1,000).

How to Start an STR Business in Keene

1. Register for the NH Meals & Rooms (M&R) Tax

• Complete Form CD‑3, “Application for Meals & Rentals Tax Operator’s License,” through the NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA).
• Obtain your M&R license number; annual renewal is required.
• Collect the 8.5% M&R tax from guests on all stays under 185 consecutive days to the same person. File monthly returns (due approximately the 15th of the month following the collection period).
• If you list on platforms that collect and remit NH M&R tax on your behalf, verify whether your platform does this; if not, you must collect and remit yourself.

2. Confirm Zoning and Property Compliance

• Keene has no active STR zoning/permit ordinance (as of April 2025). Still, confirm your property’s zoning allows short‑term rental use of the structure type you intend to operate (e.g., single‑family, multifamily, ADU).
• Ensure compliance with baseline safety requirements: NH State Fire Code; smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; clear egress; and general habitability/safety standards.
• Even without local STR rules, standard residential compliance is expected (parking, nuisance, trash, noise). Provide guests with house rules that reflect quiet hours and neighborhood expectations.

3. Build a Compliant Operating System

• Taxes and filings: Create a process to collect, store, and remit the 8.5% M&R tax monthly; maintain records for at least the statutory period.
• Guest communications: Share arrival instructions, local rules, quiet hours, parking, and waste pickup schedules.
• Insurance and property standards: Confirm your policy covers short‑term rentals and that the property meets safety codes.
• Monitor city actions: Track Keene’s Community Development Department and Planning Board for any future STR rulemaking.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• State-level license:
  • NH DRA M&R Operator’s License (Form CD‑3). This is mandatory for all STR operators in NH, regardless of how many properties or how often you rent.
• Taxes:
  • 8.5% M&R tax on gross rental receipts for stays under 185 consecutive days to the same person; monthly filing and remittance via NH DRA.
• Safety and habitability:
  • NH State Fire Code compliance.
  • Operational smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Clear egress routes and basic habitability standards.
• Local permitting:
  • Keene: None required specifically for STRs as of April 2025. Check with the City (Community Development) before operating to verify no new rules have taken effect.
• Insurance:
  • Ensure coverage for short‑term rental operations.

Keene-Specific STR Regulations (City/County/State)

• State-level requirements that apply to Keene:
  • NH M&R Tax at 8.5% of gross receipts; registration and monthly filing with NH DRA.
  • State Fire Code and safety standards (smoke/CO detectors; egress).
• City of Keene:
  • No STR-specific ordinance is in effect as of April 2025. The city is studying STR impacts and considering future rules. Any future ordinance would likely address permitting, safety inspections, occupancy limits, parking, and nuisance controls.
• Cheshire County (county-wide context only):
  • No county-level STR ordinance identified. Rindge (in Cheshire County) is drafting local restrictions, including prohibiting STR use of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and discouraging non‑owner‑occupied purchases intended for STRs; these proposals are not yet enacted.
• City of Keene current policy that may affect rentals:
  • Quiet hours for STRs: 10 PM to 7 AM; amplified sound is prohibited outdoors during quiet hours. Hosts should provide written guest information on these restrictions.
• Parking (context for residential uses):
  • Keene is transitioning residential parking requirements from per‑unit to per‑bedroom calculations under state law (HB 1400) constraints. Investors should confirm parking standards for any STR conversion or development to ensure compliance and adequate on‑site parking.

Local Contacts for STR Guidance City of Keene

• Community Development Department (Planning/Zoning)
  • Address: City Hall, 2nd Floor, 3 Washington St, Keene, NH 03431
  • Phone: Not provided in source documents; contact City Hall main line if needed
  • Website: keenenh.gov
• Planning Board / Planning, Licenses & Development (PLD) Committee
  • Meeting materials: keenenh.gov/wp-content/.../April-14-2025_PB-PLD_Agenda_Packet.pdf
• City Hall (general)
  • Address: 3 Washington St, Keene, NH 03431
  • Phone: Not provided in source documents
  • Website: keenenh.gov

Rindge (for context; not City of Keene)

• Planning Board / Select Board
  • Phone and website: Not provided in source documents

NH Department of Revenue Administration (M&R Tax)

• Website: revenue.nh.gov/taxes‑glance/meals‑rooms‑rentals‑tax
• NH RSA 78‑A (Meals and Rooms Tax): gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/NHTOC/NHTOC‑V‑78‑A.htm

What’s Pending or Emerging (Watch This Space)

• Keene: The Community Development Department applied for a grant to study STR impacts and may propose rules after receiving results. Investors should monitor Planning Board and City Council actions.
• Rindge: Drafting local restrictions on STRs (e.g., prohibiting STR use of ADUs and seeking to discourage purchases for STR use). None are adopted as of the latest report.

Important Notes

• Statewide New Hampshire operates under strong local control. Even if Keene has no ordinance today, nearby towns can adopt different rules at any time. Always verify current requirements before acquiring or operating.
• If a platform handles M&R tax collection/remittance for your NH listings, confirm this in writing and retain platform documentation. Otherwise, you are responsible for collection and monthly remittance.
• Non‑compliance with the M&R tax can trigger penalties, interest, and potential criminal exposure for willful non‑compliance. Municipal enforcement can include fines, cease‑and‑desist orders, and permit/license revocation.

Links to Source Pages

• Officials in Keene, Rindge eye impact of short-term rentals: www.nhbr.com/officials-in-keene-rindge-eye-impact-of-short-term-rentals/
• New Hampshire Short-Term Rental Regulations (Home Team Luxury Rentals): hometeamluxuryrentals.com/blog/new-hampshire-short-term-rental-regulations
• Keene Planning Board/PLD Committee Agenda Packet (April 14, 2025): keenenh.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/April-14-2025_PB-PLD_Agenda_Packet.pdf
• NH DRA — Meals & Rooms (M&R) Tax: www.revenue.nh.gov/taxes-glance/meals-rooms-rentals-tax
• NH RSA 78‑A (Meals and Rooms Tax): gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/NHTOC/NHTOC-V-78-A.htm
• N.H. Housing — Short-Term Rentals in NH (Oct 2023 report): www.nhhfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Short-Term-Rentals-in-NH.pdf
• Keene Housing Needs Assessment (2023) — referenced by NHBR: keenenh.gov/sites/default/files/Community

Disclaimer This guide is for general informational purposes and reflects information available as of 2025 based on the sources provided. It is not legal or tax advice. Regulations change; confirm with the NH DRA, the City of Keene (Community Development), and any relevant municipal bodies before operating.