North Conway Short-Term Rental Regulations

New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →

Permit & Licensing

Rental Property Permit (self-affidavit, 1-2 family dwellings)

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Rental Property Permit (mandatory inspection, 3+ unit dwellings)

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Owners submit a Rental Property Permit application to the Town's Designated Official along with required fees; a completed application renders the property compliant pending a final determination. 1-2 family dwellings lawfully used as rentals may submit an annual self-affidavit with no inspection; inspections are mandatory upon first use as a rental or change of ownership, and for all 3+ unit multifamily properties (conducted by the local fire department). Inspections are scheduled within about two months of application; a post-inspection report issues within 10 business days, and any noncompliance must be corrected and reinspected within 90 days.

Note: Document requirements vary by permit type. See individual permit sections above for eligibility details.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 8.5% of gross rental income.

Collection: Self-remit by the operator: 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

North Conway does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Zoning & Restrictions

Short-term rentals are generally permitted as a residential use throughout Conway's (including North Conway village's) residential zoning districts; the NH Supreme Court held in Town of Conway v. Kudrick (2023) that the Zoning Ordinance's use definitions do not prohibit short-term/transient occupancy of an otherwise-permitted residential dwelling unit. The only express town-wide zoning restriction on short-term use applies to two specific carve-outs: (1) accessory dwelling units approved by special exception, and (2) pre-1930 residential structures converted to up to four units under the RA District's historic-conversion special exception — both of which are required to be used for long-term residency only, with short-term transient occupancy under 30 consecutive days expressly prohibited.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

North Conway 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

• Verification of compliance with all applicable building, fire, and life safety codes, laws, and regulations
• For onsite sewage disposal systems over ten years old: verification of inspection by a licensed septic designer/inspector within the past five years
• 1-2 unit rentals: general safety inspection, electrical inspection, and (if applicable) wood stove inspection, or an owner self-affidavit in lieu of inspection for pre-existing rentals
• 3+ unit rentals: mandatory 10-point life safety inspection conducted by the Fire Department

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Verbal or written warning may be issued first, at the Designated Official's discretion
• Notice of Violation with a fine per the Selectboard-adopted fine schedule, not to exceed $1,000 per offense
• Each continuing day of a Housing Standards (§72-2) violation after notice is a separate finable offense
• Court/judicial enforcement if the property owner fails to comply with a Notice of Violation, including failure to pay fines

Compliance Checklist

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

1. Determine your permit type. North Conway has 2 permit types. Identify which applies to your property (Rental Property Permit (self-affidavit, 1-2 family dwellings), Rental Property Permit (mandatory inspection, 3+ unit dwellings)).
2. Meet safety requirements. Verification of compliance with all applicable building, fire, and life safety codes, laws, and regulations. For onsite sewage disposal systems over ten years old: verification of inspection by a licensed septic designer/inspector within the past five years. 1-2 unit rentals: general safety inspection, electrical inspection, and (if applicable) wood stove inspection, or an owner self-affidavit in lieu of inspection for pre-existing rentals. 3+ unit rentals: mandatory 10-point life safety inspection conducted by the Fire Department.
3. Apply for your STR permit. Submit application. Fees vary by type: Rental Property Permit (self-affidavit, 1-2 family dwellings) $50; Rental Property Permit (mandatory inspection, 3+ unit dwellings) $50-$125+. See permit types above to determine which applies.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (NH DRA).
5. Collect and remit taxes. 8.5% on all bookings.
6. Renew annually. Contact city for renewal fee details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in North Conway?

Yes. North Conway requires a short-term rental permit to operate an Airbnb or Vrbo, and there are 2 permit types. See the permit types above to find which applies to your property.

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

A short-term rental permit in North Conway costs $50.

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

No. North Conway 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 North Conway?

North Conway 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 North Conway?

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