Short-Term Rental Overview
Washington DC holds a unique position among real estate markets and destination cities. Here you’ll find consistent, ongoing demand year-round with frequent periods of exceptionally robust tourist activity. That makes it an ideal location for Short-term and Vacation Rentals.
Analysts project more than 5100 Short-term and Vacation Rentals in the District in the near term. In order to spell out the requirements for licensure, a new law called the Short-Term Rental Regulation Act of 2018 (14 DCMR Section 9901.6) has been put into place.
Whether you’re using your DC property or accommodation for Short-term Rental or Vacation Rental, it’s vital to ensure that you are in compliance with the DLCP’s (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) rules and regulations.
- Your Clean Hands Certificate from the District’s Office of Tax and Revenue (in the property owner’s name and dated within the prior 30 days)
- Proof of liability insurance (minimum $250,000 in coverage)
- Your completed attestation form if your property is part of an association (HOA, condo, co-op)
- Payment of licensure fees
- The rental property MUST include unobstructed egress, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and a portable fire extinguisher.
- The host MUST provide a number for 24-hour phone access so that they, or their representative, can be contacted in the event of an emergency.
- The host MUST post the Short-term Rental or Vacation Rental License inside the property in a clear and conspicuous location.
- Applicable transient lodging taxes collected by the booking portal must be paid as required.
- Records of each Short-term or Vacation Rental booking must be retained for a period of two years.
- Investment properties and residential properties owned by corporate entities are not eligible for licensure under this program.
Short-Term Rentals (STR) are accommodations that are offered
- For a fee
- Within a host’s home
- While the host is present.
As long as the host is in residence, DC law places no limit on the number of individual stays allowed during a calendar year. However, each stay is limited to 30 or fewer consecutive nights.
If your plan is to offer your entire property for Short-term rental
- For a fee
- Within your home
- Without being in residence
your lodging would be considered a Vacation Rental.
Unlike Short-term Rentals, Vacation Rentals are limited to a total of 90 nights in a calendar year with each individual stay limited to 30 or fewer consecutive nights. The 90-day limit can be exceeded only if you apply for an exception to (1) leave town for work or (2) care for a close relative temporarily.
Yes, you need a Certificate of Clean Hands from the DC Office of Tax and Revenue. This must include your name and must be issued within 30 days prior to your license application. This stipulates that you do not owe the District of Columbia more than $100 for fees, fines, taxes, or penalties and that you have filed required District tax returns.
No, however you are required to attest that your property complies with the DC Municipal Housing Code and Property Maintenance Code.
What is the fee for a Short-Term/Vacation Rental license?
As long as you have a valid license, Short-term and Vacation Rentals are allowed to operate in any DC neighborhood.
No. However, guests must observe any residential parking restrictions. In addition, guests are barred from using a resident’s annual visitor parking permit.
Are Short-Term/Vacation Rentals allowed in condominium buildings?
Short-term and Vacation Rentals are allowed in condominium buildings if you can attest that the governing board or association (including bylaws, house rules or other documents)
- Allows Short-term and/or Vacation Rentals
- Does not prohibit Short-term and/or Vacation Rentals
- Has given you written permission to operate a Short-term and/or Vacation Rental at your address.
No, a host can only hold a license in one category, not both. If you have a previous B&B license, you must cancel it in order to obtain an STR license. Contact the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection’s Business Licensing Division and the Department of Building’s Office of the Zoning Administrator for more details.