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Short-Term Rental Permit in District of Columbia: Cost, Steps & How to File

In District of Columbia, get a short-term rental permit is straightforward once you know the sequence. Costs range from $50 to about $1500, timelines run from 7 days to roughly 60 days depending on your specific situation. Here's the District of Columbia-specific walkthrough.

Typical cost

$50–$1500

Timeline

7–60 days

Renewal

Annual (in most STR-regulated cities)

Who needs it

Airbnb, VRBO, and other short-term rental hosts

Steps to get a short-term rental permit in District of Columbia

Step 1: Confirm short-term rentals are legal in your zoning — many cities ban them in single-family residential zones outright
Step 2: Register with the city's STR licensing division (online portal in most cities that permit STRs)
Step 3: Prove primary residency if the city has an owner-occupied rule (Airbnb-only cities like Santa Monica, Boston)
Step 4: Install and post required safety equipment: smoke/CO detectors in every bedroom, fire extinguisher, evacuation map
Step 5: Register for the city's transient occupancy tax (TOT) or hotel tax
Step 6: List the permit number in every Airbnb/VRBO listing (many cities auto-scrape and cite hosts who don't)

Required documents

Proof of ownership or lease with landlord written consent
Proof of primary residency
Property tax bill
Safety equipment photos

Where to file in District of Columbia

Business filings: https://mytax.dc.gov
Secretary of State: https://dcra.dc.gov
Tax authority: https://otr.cfo.dc.gov
Labor/workforce: https://does.dc.gov

Heads up: The state fee is the floor. Third-party filing services will offer to handle this for you at 2-10× the state cost. If your setup is simple, filing yourself through the District of Columbia portal is straightforward; if it's not (foreign qualification, complex ownership, non-US members), the extra service cost is often justified.

Related permits in District of Columbia

Business License in District of Columbia Sales Tax Registration in District of Columbia

Frequently asked questions

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in District of Columbia?

Typical cost ranges from $50–$1500. The exact fee depends on your specific business type, city, and any expedited processing you choose.

How long does it take to get a short-term rental permit in District of Columbia?

Most District of Columbia applications complete in 7–60 days. Same-day or next-day processing is often available for an added fee at the state level.

Do I need a short-term rental permit if I'm just starting a home business in District of Columbia?

In most cases, yes — even home-based businesses in District of Columbia are subject to the same state filing rules. Local rules (city and county) may add a home occupation permit on top.

This page reflects general District of Columbia filing rules as of 2026. Fees and processing times change; verify the current amounts with the linked state agency before filing.