Note: This guide is based exclusively on the provided materials. Where a detail is not present in the sources, it is flagged accordingly.

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Claremont, NH?

• Officially, short‑term rentals are prohibited in the City of Claremont unless operating under a City‑issued conditional use permit (CUP) and annual license. The City Council approved a new ordinance that will give the city control over STRs by requiring a CUP from the Planning Board, with final adoption expected at the second reading on August 14, 2024. Under the new regime, STRs are allowed in all zoning districts except industrial. Violations can trigger fines and permit revocation. Source: Valley News – Claremont City Council supports “checks and balances” on short‑term rentals
• For investors, the practical takeaway is clear: no CUP and annual license means no legal operation.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Claremont

1. Reconcile zoning and permits first

   • Confirm that the subject property is not in an industrial district (industrial zones are excluded). If it is, an STR cannot be approved.
   • Proceed only if the property is in an allowed zone and you can meet the application, operational, and neighborhood‑compatibility standards in the City’s draft ordinance. Source: Claremont Planning Board – Short Term Rental Draft Ordinance (PDF) and Valley News article

2. Build a compliant application package

   • Follow the CUP process (see Required Documents). Be ready to demonstrate how you will manage occupancy, trash, and parking, and to mitigate neighborhood impacts.

3. Post‑approval compliance

   • Maintain annual license renewal (CUP and license are renewed annually).
   • Track violations: the first two violations trigger daily fines, and a third violation requires an appearance before the Planning Board, where permit revocation is possible.
   • Maintain compliance with state tax and registration obligations (see State section).

4. Operational readiness

   • Prepare guest materials covering quiet hours, parking rules, trash/recycling/composting schedules, and local emergency information.
   • Designate a local contact for issues and post emergency contacts and house rules in the unit.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Claremont (local):

• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) issued by the Planning Board.

  • Allowed in all zones except industrial.
  • Occupancy limit: The ordinance lists limits on the number of people who can occupy a short‑term rental for up to 30 days. Specific numeric occupancy caps are not provided in the sources.
  • Application triggers notice to abutters and a public hearing.
  • CUP and associated license must be renewed annually.
  • Enforcement: first two violations → daily fines; third violation → mandatory Planning Board appearance and possible permit revocation.
  • Draft ordinance language and process details are in the City’s Short Term Rental Draft Ordinance (PDF). Sources: Valley News and Claremont Draft Ordinance (PDF)

• Building/Zoning compliance

  • Ensure the unit meets all applicable building, fire, and life‑safety requirements. The sources do not specify a Certificate of Occupancy requirement for STRs in Claremont.

• Application process and forms

  • The City’s “Applications & Permits” portal is the central hub for permits and forms (use for building, business license applications, and related City forms). The sources do not list a separate, City‑specific STR business license fee schedule or application fee amounts.
  • Portal: ClaremontNH – Applications & Permits

County (Sullivan County):

• No county‑specific STR rules are identified in the sources.

State of New Hampshire:

• NH Meals and Rooms (M&R) Tax

  • Unless specifically exempt, most short‑term rentals in NH are subject to the 9% M&R tax. Hosts typically must register, collect the tax from guests, and file/pay it to the NH Department of Revenue Administration (DRA).
  • The sources do not provide the exact NH M&R registration steps or portal links.

• Business registration and taxes

  • NH Business Profits Tax (BPT) generally applies to business income; sole owners/landlords earning rental income may also have federal/state tax obligations.
  • The sources do not provide state registration steps or agency portal links.

NH M&R short‑term rental overview (external context):

• General NH guidance for short‑term rentals and the 9% tax has been widely published by the NH Department of Revenue Administration; however, the provided sources do not include NH.gov pages. Investors should consult the NH DRA for current rules, rates, registration, and filing procedures.

Specific Regulations for Short‑Term Rentals: City, County, and State

City of Claremont (local rules that apply):

• Zoning
  • STRs are permitted via CUP in all zones except industrial. Source: Valley News article
• Permit requirement
  • CUP required from the Planning Board; annual renewal.
• Occupancy
  • The ordinance imposes occupancy limits and caps stays at up to 30 days. Specific numerical occupancy limits are not provided in the sources.
• Application process
  • Abutters are notified and a public hearing is held for each application.
• Operations and standards
  • Applicants must provide trash management, parking plans, and other operational details in the application.
• Enforcement and penalties
  • Daily fines for first two violations; third violation requires a Planning Board appearance and can result in permit revocation.
  • The City has the ability to shut down non‑compliant operations. The City also expects Airbnb platform oversight to assist enforcement.
• Sources: Valley News and Claremont Draft Ordinance (PDF)

County (Sullivan County):

• No county‑specific STR regulations are provided in the sources. Investors should check the county website for any related rules or taxes.

State of New Hampshire:

• NH Meals and Rooms Tax (9%) applies to most short‑term rentals unless an exemption applies; hosts must register with DRA to collect and remit.
• Business income is generally subject to the NH Business Profits Tax; investors should coordinate with their tax advisors.
• The sources do not provide a state registration portal or filing schedule.

Contact Information (Claremont, NH)

City of Claremont – Planning and Development (Planning Board / STR permits):

• Planning and Development Director: Nancy Merrill (per Valley News)
• City Hall location: 24 Interchange Dr, West Lebanon, NH 03784 (mailing/contact from Valley News)
• Customer Service phone (Valley News listed): 603‑298‑7739 (note: this is the newspaper’s customer service; for City phone, use City directory or the Applications & Permits portal contact details)
• City website: see “Applications & Permits” portal
• Source portals: ClaremontNH – Applications & Permits

City of Claremont – General City Government:

• City website home: www.claremontnh.com/

For STR‑specific questions (permitting, hearings, renewals):

• Contact the Planning and Development Department via the City website “Applications & Permits” portal or attend a Planning Board meeting (meeting agendas, packets, and public notices are posted on the City’s site).

Source Links (for verification)

• Valley News – Claremont City Council supports “checks and balances” on short‑term rentals (July 11, 2024): vnews.com/2024/07/11/claremont-considers-short-term-rental-ordinance-55733384/
• ClaremontNH – Applications & Permits (City forms/portal): www.claremontnh.com/index.php?section=documents-permits&filterbycat=32
• Claremont Planning Board – Short Term Rental Draft Ordinance (PDF): www.claremontnh.com/corecode/uploads/document6/uploaded_pdfs/corecode/041824_ShortTermRental_PB_DRAFT_4012.pdf
• City of Claremont website home: www.claremontnh.com/

Practical compliance checklist for investors:

• Confirm zoning is not industrial; CUP is obtainable at the Planning Board.
• Prepare a complete application with occupancy, trash, and parking plans; attend the public hearing.
• Build an operating manual for guests and a compliance plan to avoid violations.
• Register for and comply with NH’s 9% Meals and Rooms Tax and related business tax obligations.
• Budget for annual license renewal and potential fines.