Laconia Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Lodging Permit

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Owner (or authorized agent) submits a Short-Term Lodging Review Application to the Planning Department at Laconia City Hall with the $250 fee, an abutters list with addressed/certified-mail envelopes ($10 per abutter), a parcel card, and a parking diagram. Planning Department staff review the application administratively for zoning eligibility; if eligible, a joint Fire Department / Building Code Enforcement inspection is scheduled. Applications are approved or denied within 30 days of a complete submission, with notice mailed to the applicant and abutters; denials may be appealed to the Zoning Board of Adjustment within 30 days. Approval is owner-specific (a change of ownership requires a new application) and is valid for 2 years before renewal is required.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 8.5% of gross rental income.

Collection: Self-remit by the operator: the owner/operator must register with NH DRA for an Operator's License before offering sleeping accommodations, then collect the 8.5% M&R tax from guests and remit it to the state.

Filing: Monthly

Rental Limits

Laconia does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Individual-stay rule: 1-14 consecutive nights per stay (ordinance definition of 'Short-Term Lodging'); a separate 120-night/15-rental annual cap, May 1-Oct 31 only, applies to the seasonal-dwelling zoning pathway in RS/RG/RR1 zones.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Formula-based, confirmed at inspection: 4 persons for the first 400 sq ft of living space, plus 1 additional person per each additional 200 sq ft of living space (e.g., a 1,400 sq ft unit is capped at 9 occupants).

Zoning & Restrictions

• Short-Term Lodging (stays of 1-14 consecutive nights) is a regulated accessory/permitted use under Laconia Zoning Ordinance §235-41:M. It is permitted with no limitation on the number of rental periods in the Commercial Resort (CR) and Shorefront Residential (SFR) zones (which include the Weirs Beach / Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront area).
• It is prohibited outright in the Industrial (I), Industrial Park (IP), and Airport Industrial (AI) zones.
• In all other zones (including standard residential districts), it is prohibited unless the property is owner-occupied, meaning the owner resides on the property at least 150 days per year;
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and their associated primary unit are never eligible for Short-Term Lodging in any zone.
• Separately, in the Residential Single-Family (RS), Residential General (RG), and Residential Rural (RR1) zones, a 'seasonal dwelling unit' (under 1,400 sq ft, only one dwelling unit per lot, occupied only May 1-Oct 31) may be short-term rented for up to 15 separate rental periods or 120 nights per year (whichever comes first), May 1-Oct 31 only.
• Non-owner-occupied, non-seasonal properties in RS, RG, RR1, RR2, and Urban Commercial (UC) zones may still seek a Special Exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment if the short-term use predates the December 2019 ordinance by 5+ years, or if it provides a demonstrable general community benefit.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Laconia does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Joint inspection by the Fire Department and Building Code Enforcement Department prior to approval
• Functioning smoke/CO detectors installed per City-adopted codes
• All operable windows/doors able to open for emergency egress
• No basement sleeping areas unless egress windows/doors conform to City-adopted codes
• Visible, functional fire extinguisher in any kitchen area
• Maximum occupancy confirmed via floor space square footage per City-adopted codes
• Driveway/off-street parking capacity confirmed (minimum 9'x19' per space); no on-street parking allowed

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• First violation: warning
• Second violation: civil penalty of $275 for each day of violation
• Third violation: revocation of the Short-Term Lodging approval; owner barred from reapplying for one year
• Operating without an approved permit, or after expiration/revocation, subjects the owner to fines and penalties under Zoning Ordinance §235-82

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Laconia:

1. Meet safety requirements. Joint inspection by the Fire Department and Building Code Enforcement Department prior to approval. Functioning smoke/CO detectors installed per City-adopted codes. All operable windows/doors able to open for emergency egress. No basement sleeping areas unless egress windows/doors conform to City-adopted codes. Visible, functional fire extinguisher in any kitchen area. Maximum occupancy confirmed via floor space square footage per City-adopted codes. Driveway/off-street parking capacity confirmed (minimum 9'x19' per space); no on-street parking allowed.
2. Apply for Short-Term Lodging Permit. Submit application + $250 fee.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration.
4. Collect and remit taxes. 8.5% on all bookings.
5. Renew every 2 years. Contact city for renewal fee details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Laconia?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Laconia requires a Short-Term Lodging Permit.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Laconia?

A Short-Term Lodging Permit in Laconia costs $250.

Does Laconia require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. Laconia allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Laconia?

Laconia does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Laconia?

Short-term rental stays in Laconia are subject to a 8.5% NH Meals & Rooms (Rentals) Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting it.

What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in Laconia?

Penalties run up to $275 per day (see the Penalties section for the full schedule).