Operating a Short-Term Rental in the District of Columbia

All short-term rental and vacation rental properties must be licensed by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). Failure to obtain a license will result in enforcement action, including fines.

• Proof of liability insurance with a minimum of $250,000 in coverage must be provided – this may be obtained through a rental platform or an insurance company.
• A Certificate of Clean Hands issued within the last 30 days in the property owner's name must be obtained from the Office of Tax and Revenue.
• If the rental is a co-op or condo, or if the property is in a community where there is a homeowners’ association, the owner must attest that the bylaws, house rules, or other governing documents of the homeowner/condo/ cooperative governing board or association allow short-term and/or vacation rentals, do not prohibit owners from operating short-term rentals and/or vacation rentals, or that they have received written permission from the association to operate a short-term and/or vacation rental at the address.
• Hosts must provide a 24-hour accessible phone number to reach themselves, or their representatives, for emergencies.
• The host must post the Short-Term Rental or Vacation Rental License conspicuously inside the property.
• All applicable transient lodging taxes, which will be collected by booking services on behalf of hosts, must be paid.
• Records of each booking must be maintained for a period of two years.
• Investment properties and those owned by corporate entities are not eligible.

A short-term rental:

• Host's primary residence
• Owner-occupied during rental
• Guests have restricted use of home
• No limit on the frequency of rentals per calendar year
• Rentals cannot exceed 30 consecutive nights

A vacation rental:

• Host's primary residence
• The owner is not on the premises during rental
• Guests have exclusive use of the entire home (host and other guests not present)
• Limit of 90 nights cumulatively per calendar year*
• Rentals cannot exceed 30 consecutive nights

*A host may apply for an exemption to the 90-night vacation rental restriction here if their employer, or their spouse or domestic partner’s employer, requires them to work outside of the District for more than 90 days cumulatively in any calendar year. The host may also apply for an exemption if they need to leave the District to receive treatment for a serious health condition or to care for a family member who is receiving treatment for a serious health condition for more than 90 days cumulatively in any calendar year.

Yes. Once an applicant has applied for and received their Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental License, you may apply for Vacation Rental Exemption online using the District of Columbia Short-Term Rental Licensing Application online portal. Applicants must complete the appropriate Affidavit form provided below and upload a copy to their online application. 

 Step-by-Step Instructions: 

1. Visit DLCP's Short Term Rental Licensing Portal. 
2. Select "Dashboard" from the top Menu Bar. 
3. Click on the Short Term Rental: Vacation Rental" license.
4. Under "Registration Options," select the "Apply for Exemption" button.

Note: You will be redirected to the Vacation Rental Exemption Application. Applications submitted online will be reviewed within 2-3 business days.

Apply for a Vacation Rental Exemption

Download Employer Affidavit

Download Medical Affidavit

Download Vacation Rental Exemption Application

A host only needs one Short-Term Rental License, regardless of how many rooms they intend to rent out separately. If a host wishes to conduct short-term and vacation rentals, they will need both licenses.

A ‘Primary Residence’ is a property for which the owner is eligible for the Homestead Tax Deduction. Note that accessory dwelling units, including English basements, are considered part of a host’s primary residence if the property owner is eligible for the Homestead Tax Deduction for the property.

Yes, property owners are required to have a Certificate of Clean Hands issued within the last 30 days in the property owner's name to obtain a Short-Term Rental License. The District of Columbia “Clean Hands” mandate stipulates that individuals are to be denied City goods or services (e.g. licenses, permits, grants, contracts) if there is a debt owed to the District of Columbia of more than $100 for fees, fines, taxes, or penalties; and/or failure to file required District tax returns. You can apply for a Certificate of Clean Hands via the DC Tax Office website at MyTax.DC.gov.

Occupancy in a short-term rental is limited to a maximum of eight guests, or two guests per bedroom, whichever is greater.

Only a natural person can be a host. Business entities such as an LLC or corporation cannot be a host and are prohibited from operating a short-term or vacation rental.

An inspection is not required before a Short-Term Rental License is issued. However, as part of the application process, the applicant must self-certify that the property complies with the Housing Code and Property Maintenance Code of the DC Municipal Regulations.

The total cost for a Short-Term or Vacation Rental License is $104.50. This includes a $70 processing fee, a $25 endorsement fee, and a 10% technology fee.

A Short-Term/Vacation Rental License is valid for two years and can be automatically renewed after two years by paying the required fee.

You may apply for a Short-Term Rental or Vacation Rental License online. Please note that you must have or create a single sign-on, Access DC, account. For more information, visit dlcp.dc.gov/accessdc. Once you have your Access DC account information, you may begin using the District of Columbia Short-Term Rental Licensing Application online portal.

No, there are no requirements in the zoning regulations for short-term rental off-street parking. Guests are allowed to park on public streets and must observe any residential parking restrictions. Please note that short-term rental guests are not considered a guest of a resident in the Advisory Neighborhood Commission area designated on an annual visitor parking permit.

Yes, short-term and vacation rentals are allowed in condominium buildings as long as it is the host’s primary residence and the owner must attest that the bylaws, house rules, or other governing documents of the homeowner/condo/ cooperative governing board or association allow short-term and/or vacation rentals, do not prohibit owners from operating short-term rentals and/or vacation rentals, or that they have received written permission from the association to operate a short-term and/or vacation rental at the address.

The status of a Short-Term or Vacation Rental License may be determined using Scout, DLCP's consolidated online platform used to verify licenses and permits. Sites that list short-term and vacation rentals are also required to list the host’s license number as part of the listing.

Yes, it is possible; however, given the onerous requirements associated with a Bed and Breakfast License and accompanying Home Occupancy Permit (HOP), DLCP recommends not having a Bed and Breakfast License and a Short-Term Rental License. If you would like to cancel your Bed and Breakfast License, please complete the Basic Business License Online Cancellation Request Form to begin the process.  

District residents who own properties that they rent out should know that their may be specific provisions in the District tax code that they should be aware of in order to ensure that they are correctly reporting their income and expenses and that they are paying the correct amount of tax due. 

OTR Rental Property FAQs

As the property owner, you and the booking service on which the rental reservation was made, will need to cancel the booking. Failing to do so will result in enforcement action.