October 2024
Disclaimer. This page is intended solely to assist you in understanding the regulations you may need to comply with. The information provided here is not exhaustive and may not reflect the most current legal standards. It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable laws. For further guidance, please contact your local tax authorities or consult with a qualified legal or tax professional.
In 2018, the District of Columbia enacted the Short-Rental Regulation Act (D.C. Act 22-563). The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) announced implementation of the STR regulation will begin in January 2022, and enforcement in April 2022.
For more information, you can visit DC’s official website about short-term rentals. You can also contact the DCRA at (202) 442-4400 or dcra@dc.gov.
Applicable taxes
misterb&b registered with the D.C. tax authorities to collect the Sales Tax on every booking not exceeding 90 consecutive days. For more information, check our FAQ about US sales/occupancy tax collection by misterb&b.
You remain responsible for the registration for, collection from your Guests and remittance of any other applicable taxes
Transient rentals types
Under local law, there are 2 types of transient rentals (less than 31 consecutive nights).
- Short-Term Rental. A Short-Term Rental is the use of the Host’s primary residency by Guests for transient stays (less than 31 consecutive nights). The Host is present on-site during the Guest's stay
- Vacation Rental. A Vacation Rental is the exclusive use of the Host’s primary residency by Guests for transient stays (staying less than 31 consecutive days). The Host is not present during the Guest’s stay.
Conditions and limits
- Owner-occupied primary residency. Transient rentals are only permitted in the primary residence of the Host (who must be the owner). The term “primary residency” includes accessory dwelling units (such as English basements).
- Occupancy limit. Occupancy in a STR/Vacation Rental is limited to a maximum of 6 Guests, or 2 per bedroom (whichever is greater).
- Rental day limit for Vacation Rental, exemption. You cannot operate a Vacation Rental for more than 90 nights cumulatively per calendar year, unless you have received an exemption for valid reasons from the DCRA.
License
You must obtain a business license to operate a STR or a Vacation Rental.
- License application. The license application can be completed online. It may require providing some supporting documents, such as a valid Certificate of Occupancy or Home Occupation Permit, a Clean Hands Certification issued by the Office of Tax, an attestation of compliance with the Housing Code (Title 14 DCMR) and Property Maintenance Code (Title 12-G DCMR).
- License renewal. A STR license endorsement shall be renewed every 2 years.
- Multiple STRs. Multiple STRs at the Host’s primary residence do not require separate license endorsements.
You must add the license number to your misterb&b listing(s) (go to the “Local Requirements” page, via “Edit my listing”). In the absence of a valid license number, misterb&b may delete your listing.
Maintaining compliance
Home-sharing must comply with all applicable laws, including all health, safety, building, fire protection, and rent control laws.
- Maintaining liability insurance. You must maintain liability insurance of at least $250,000.
- Cleaning standards. STRs must be cleaned between each stay (including the change of bed linens and towels).
- Emergency contact. You must give your Guests a 24-hour accessible telephone number (yours or another person's) to act in the event of an emergency.
- Fire and safety. You must maintain a smoke detector outside the sleeping area of and on all habitable floors of the STR, a carbon monoxide detector on all habitable floors and at least one portable fire extinguisher.
- Record keeping. You must retain records of each STR booking for 2 years. Such records must contain the STR license number, the date of Guest’s stay, the booking platform used, whether the STR was booked as a vacation rental and the number of bedrooms, the number of Guests who stayed at the STR.
Third-party rules
- Community rules. You must abide by other contracts or rules binding you, such as co-op rules, CC&Rs, HOA rules, or other rules established by tenant organizations.
- Lease contract. If you are a renter, you must get the written permission from your landlord to use the property as a STR.
Data-sharing and privacy
misterb&b is required by law to save and share some information with the District of Columbia. It includes the Host’s names, the listing’s address and URL, the license number, the dates of the Guest’s stay, whether the accommodation was booked as a vacation rental and the amount charged for each stay.
By using misterb&b, you consent to the collection, retention, use and disclosure of his information to the City (in accordance with all legal obligations and processes).