Stowe Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Rental Registration

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Register online via the Town of Stowe STR registration portal (Parcel ID entered as '195' followed by the Parcel ID), providing owner and Designated Responsible Person contact information, then pay the $100 registration fee through the registration portal itself (not the Town's general payment portal, as of March 31, 2026). Registration is not complete/approved until the fee is paid; the Town does not send invoices. A separate registration and fee is required for each dwelling unit rented as an STR, even on the same property. The portal does not work properly on Chrome on iOS; a different browser or desktop is required.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 13% of gross rental income.

Collection: Taxes are collected either by the short-term rental platform (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO), which is responsible under Vermont law for registering with the Department of Taxes and remitting rooms tax, local option tax, and the surcharge, or self-remitted by the operator if not filed and paid by a third-party platform. Operators who self-remit must post their Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number on any advertisement for the rental.

Rental Limits

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

Zoning & Restrictions

Check with local government

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Stowe 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. No insurance requirement identified — not mandated by the Town of Stowe Short-Term Rental Registry Ordinance or by Vermont's statewide short-term rental legal requirements.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Buildings that are leased or rented are considered Public Buildings in Vermont and are subject to fire safety requirements under the Vermont Fire Safety Code (contact Vermont Division of Fire Safety, Waterbury Office, 802-479-4434)
• Operator must post in each unit contact information for the individual responsible for the unit, the Vermont Department of Health, and the Vermont Division of Fire Safety
• Operator must complete and keep on-site a self-certification form prior to renting a unit: Vermont Short Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations form
• Town of Stowe: designated responsible person must post their telephone number visibly within the unit and respond in-person within 45 minutes of notification by a Stowe Firefighter or Police Officer regarding any STR issue
• Town of Stowe: property owner/agent must ensure the Fire Department has year-round, 24-hour access to the STR through a Fire Department-approved lock box (Knoxbox) or other reasonable means

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Maximum penalty: $800 civil penalty per violation (Fourth and Subsequent Offense within a 12-month period, May 1-April 30); each day a violation continues is a separate offense once 7 days have passed after notice.

Platform Requirements

• Under Vermont law, the online rental platform is responsible for registering with the Department of Taxes and collecting and remitting the Rooms Tax, Local Option Tax (if applicable), and short-term rental surcharge on behalf of hosts. Hosts who rent only through a platform do not need to register for a rooms tax account themselves
• Hosts who also rent independently must register and collect/remit tax for those independent bookings. Operators who self-remit taxes must post a Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax account number on any advertisement for the short-term rental.

Compliance Checklist

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

1. Meet safety requirements. Buildings that are leased or rented are considered Public Buildings in Vermont and are subject to fire safety requirements under the Vermont Fire Safety Code (contact Vermont Division of Fire Safety, Waterbury Office, 802-479-4434). Operator must post in each unit contact information for the individual responsible for the unit, the Vermont Department of Health, and the Vermont Division of Fire Safety. Operator must complete and keep on-site a self-certification form prior to renting a unit: Vermont Short Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations form. Town of Stowe: designated responsible person must post their telephone number visibly within the unit and respond in-person within 45 minutes of notification by a Stowe Firefighter or Police Officer regarding any STR issue. Town of Stowe: property owner/agent must ensure the Fire Department has year-round, 24-hour access to the STR through a Fire Department-approved lock box (Knoxbox) or other reasonable means.
2. Apply for Short-Term Rental Registration. Submit application + $100 fee.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Vermont Department of Taxes (Meals and Rooms Tax, short-term rental surcharge, and Local Option Tax registration via myVTax); Town of Stowe, Office of the Assistant Town Manager (STR registration only, [email protected]).
4. Collect and remit taxes. 13% on all bookings.
5. Renew annually. $100 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

A Short-Term Rental Registration in Stowe costs $100 per year.

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

No. Stowe 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 Stowe?

Stowe 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 Stowe?

Short-term rental stays in Stowe are subject to a combined 13% in lodging taxes. This combines 9% Vermont Meals and Rooms Tax + 3% Vermont Short-Term Rental Surcharge (Act 183 of 2024) + 1% Town of Stowe Local Option Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.