Burlington Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short Term Rental Registration

The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.

Application Process

Register the STR online with the city's Housing Division (burlingtonvt.viewpointcloud.com) by April 1 annually, providing written proof of the host's primary residence (declaration of homestead for owners) and a Chittenden County managing agent if the host lives outside the county. Whole unit STRs require an inspection; partial unit STRs do not. A host may register only one whole unit STR.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 21% of gross rental income.

Collection: Hosts collect and remit the City's 9% gross receipts tax directly to the City of Burlington (Clerk/Treasurer's Office) monthly, unless AirBnB remits on their behalf. Vermont Rooms Tax (9%) and the 3% short-term rental surcharge are remitted to the Vermont Department of Taxes via Form MRT-441 on myVTax; rental platforms collect and remit state tax for platform bookings.

Filing: Monthly

Rental Limits

Burlington does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be under 30 consecutive days per guest.

Zoning & Restrictions

A host may register only one (1) whole unit STR; up to three (3) rooms may be registered as a partial unit STR within the host's primary residence. Off-site whole-unit STRs are allowed only for seasonal homes designated by the Burlington Assessor, or in buildings of 2+ units where the host also rents an affordability-qualifying unit. Multiple entities may not be used to register more than one whole unit STR.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Burlington 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

• Vermont statewide: short-term rental operators must complete the 'Short Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations' self-certification form (Department of Health, Department of Taxes, and Division of Fire Safety) and retain it on site; the form need not be filed with the department
• Vermont statewide: smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, GFI outlets, a secondary means of escape in every sleeping room, inspected heating systems, and guards/rails and graspable handrails per the Division of Fire Safety checklist
• Burlington: whole unit STRs require an inspection; partial unit STRs do not (specific standards in Chapter 18, Article III, Minimum Standards)

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Maximum penalty: $500 fine and/or up to 30 days imprisonment (criminal offense).

Platform Requirements

AirBnB remits taxes to the City on behalf of hosts. Hosts on all other platforms must set up a gross receipts account with the City and submit monthly returns. Under Vermont law, the rental platform is responsible for registering with the Department of Taxes and collecting the rooms tax, local option tax (if applicable), and the short-term rental surcharge.

Compliance Checklist

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

1. Confirm eligibility. The property must be your primary residence. Investment properties are not eligible.
2. Meet safety requirements. Vermont statewide: short-term rental operators must complete the 'Short Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations' self-certification form (Department of Health, Department of Taxes, and Division of Fire Safety) and retain it on site; the form need not be filed with the department. Vermont statewide: smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, GFI outlets, a secondary means of escape in every sleeping room, inspected heating systems, and guards/rails and graspable handrails per the Division of Fire Safety checklist. Burlington: whole unit STRs require an inspection; partial unit STRs do not (specific standards in Chapter 18, Article III, Minimum Standards).
3. Apply for Short Term Rental Registration. Submit application + $80 fee.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Burlington Clerk/Treasurer's Office (gross receipts tax); Vermont Department of Taxes (Rooms Tax and short-term rental surcharge).
5. Collect and remit taxes. 21% on all bookings.
6. Renew annually. $80 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Burlington requires a Short Term Rental Registration.

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

A Short Term Rental Registration in Burlington costs $80 per year.

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

Yes. Every Burlington permit type requires the property to be your primary residence, so investment or non-owner-occupied rentals generally are not eligible.

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

Burlington 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 Burlington?

Short-term rental stays in Burlington are subject to a combined 21% in lodging taxes. This combines 9% Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax (Rooms Tax) + 3% Vermont Short-Term Rental Surcharge (Act 183 of 2024) + 9% Burlington Gross Receipts Tax (Short Term Rental). The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.

What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Burlington?

Operating without a permit can cost up to $500 fine and/or up to 30 days imprisonment (criminal offense).