Burlington, VT Short-Term Rental Regulatory Guide

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Burlington, VT?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Burlington, Vermont, but with significant restrictions and requirements. Burlington explicitly permits STRs that meet specific criteria: units must be rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days and for more than 14 days during any rolling 12-month period. However, hosts must primarily operate within their primary residence or meet limited exceptions, and all STRs are subject to extensive registration, inspection, and tax obligations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Burlington?

Burlington hosts earn a median $37,864/year with $216 ADR and 62% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $54,954+ per year.

See the full Burlington market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Burlington

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

Before proceeding, ensure your property qualifies under Burlington's regulations:

Primary Residence Requirement: In most cases, you must live on the same lot or in the same building as your STR
Limited Exceptions: Off-site STRs may only operate if:
- The property is a seasonal home (as indicated by Burlington Assessor)
- The property is in a building with 2+ dwelling units and the host rents another unit in the same building that meets affordability criteria under Article 9 of the Comprehensive Development Ordinance

Step 2: Complete Annual Registration

Register with the city's housing division by September 1, 2022 initially, then by April 1 of every year thereafter
Complete registration online at: burlingtonvt.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1085
Registration is mandatory for all STRs operating in Burlington

Step 3: Set Up Tax Obligations

City Gross Receipts Tax: Apply for a gross receipts account and submit monthly returns for the 9% city tax
Vermont Rooms and Meals Tax: 9% state tax (platforms like Airbnb may remit on your behalf)
Complete the gross receipts application: **www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/Updated%20Gross%20Receipt%20Application.pdf**
Submit returns through the City Clerk & Treasurer's Office website: **www.burlingtonvt.gov/CT/Gross-Receipts-Tax**

Step 4: Obtain Required Permits (If Applicable)

Zoning Permits: If your STR already had a "Bed & Breakfast" or "Hotel/Motel" zoning permit, you may continue operating under that permit (provided use isn't discontinued for more than a year)
Construction Permits: If building or renovating, obtain zoning and trades permits online at: burlingtonvt.viewpointcloud.com/projectTempla te/13

Step 5: Comply with Safety Standards

Ensure your STR meets minimum life safety standards in Chapter 18, Article III
Whole-unit STRs require inspections
Partial-unit STRs do not require inspections
Review applicable life safety standards at: firesafety.vermont.gov/document/short-turm-rental-health-and-safety

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Registration and Licensing

Annual STR Registration: Mandatory with the city's housing division
Gross Receipts Account: Required for tax remittance on non-Airbnb platforms
Zoning Permits: Previously obtained "Bed & Breakfast" or "Hotel/Motel" permits may continue to be valid

Tax Compliance

City Gross Receipts Tax Account: For 9% city tax remittance
Monthly Tax Returns: Due from hosts using platforms other than Airbnb
Documentation: Maintain records of all revenue and guest stays for tax purposes

Safety and Building Compliance

Fire Safety Standards: Compliance with Vermont Dept. of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety requirements
Building Code Standards: Meet all applicable building and housing codes in Chapter 18: Minimum Housing ordinance
Inspection Requirements: Mandatory for whole-unit STRs

Reference Documents

Chapter 18: Housing: Complete regulations at www.codepublishing.com/VT/Burlington (scroll to Chapter 18)
Short-Term Rental FAQ: Available at the provided city link
Gross Receipts Tax Ordinance: Available through the City Clerk & Treasurer's Office

Specific Regulations for Burlington, VT

Operational Restrictions

Host Limit: Each host may register only one STR
Entity Restrictions: Cannot use multiple corporations or entities to register additional STRs
Primary Residence Rule: STRs must be within host's primary residence or same lot/building (with limited exceptions)
Seasonal Exception: Seasonal homes may be operated as off-site STRs
Affordability Exception: STRs in buildings with 2+ units may qualify if they meet affordable housing criteria

Tax Obligations

City Gross Receipts Tax: 9% on all STR revenue
State Rooms and Meals Tax: 9% on all STR revenue
Platform Remittance: Airbnb remits city taxes on behalf of hosts; other platforms require self-remittance

Enforcement Measures

Non-Registration: Housing orders for unregistered STRs
Safety Violations: Municipal ticket fines and court actions
Compliance Timeline: New STRs (post-August 3, 2022) must comply immediately; existing non-compliant STRs had until May 31, 2023 to cease operations

Safety Requirements

Minimum Life Safety Standards: Required for all STRs
Inspection Protocol: Required for whole-unit STRs only
Fire Safety Compliance: Must meet Vermont state standards

State-Level Regulations (Vermont)

Definition and Classification

Vermont considers STRs as "transient lodging" with typical rental periods under 30 days
Subject to Vermont rooms and meals tax (9%)
No single statewide STR license; regulations primarily local

Tax Requirements

Rooms and Meals Tax: 9% state rate on short-term lodging
Local Option Taxes: Additional local taxes may apply in certain municipalities
Platform Collection: Major platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) typically collect and remit state taxes

Safety Standards

Fire Safety Requirements: Vermont Dept. of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety standards
Building Codes: Must comply with Vermont building and safety codes
Local Enforcement: Local municipalities enforce additional safety and operational requirements

Contact Information

Primary Authority

City of Burlington Housing Division

Phone: 802-863-0442
Registration Portal: burlingtonvt.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1085
General Information: www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPI/Personnel

Tax and Financial

City Clerk & Treasurer's Office

Gross Receipts Tax Information: www.burlingtonvt.gov/CT/Gross-Receipts-Tax
Tax Application: www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/Updated%20Gross%20Receipt%20Application.pdf

Permitting and Inspections

Department of Permitting and Inspections

Permit Applications: burlingtonvt.viewpointcloud.com/projectTempla te/13
Personnel Contact: www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPI/Personnel

State Resources

Vermont Dept. of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety

STR Safety Standards: firesafety.vermont.gov/document/short-turm-rental-health-and-safety

Source Links

Burlington STR FAQ and Registration: www.burlingtonvt.gov/DocumentCenter/View/693/City-of-Burlington-Short-Term-Rental-FAQ-PDF
Code of Ordinances - Chapter 18: www.codepublishing.com/VT/Burlington
STR Registration Portal: burlingtonvt.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1085
Permit Applications: burlingtonvt.viewpointcloud.com/projectTempla te/13
Gross Receipts Tax Application: www.burlingtonvt.gov/sites/default/files/Updated%20Gross%20Receipt%20Application.pdf
Gross Receipts Tax Information: www.burlingtonvt.gov/CT/Gross-Receipts-Tax
Vermont Fire Safety Standards: firesafety.vermont.gov/document/short-turm-rental-health-and-safety
Personnel Directory: www.burlingtonvt.gov/DPI/Personnel
Recent Legal Context: www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/local/vermont/2024/12/04/burlington-vt-short-term-rentals-restrictions-airbnb-vrbo-housing-shortage/76733581007/

Important Note: Burlington's STR regulations underwent legal challenge in 2024, but a Vermont judge ruled that the city has the legal authority to regulate short-term rentals. The regulations remain in effect and enforceable. Investors should verify current requirements before proceeding, as local regulations can evolve.

Next step

Found a property in Burlington?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Burlington

Burlington is the largest city in Vermont and the seat of Chittenden County, with a city population of roughly 45,000 residents. Set on a hillside descending to the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, the city carries an easygoing, college-town feel shaped by the University of Vermont and a long-standing local-food and craft-beer culture. It is best known as a year-round outdoor base for Lake Champlain sailing, paddling, and ferry crossings, and as a gateway to Vermont's Green Mountains for hiking in summer and skiing in winter. Burlington sits about 90 miles southeast of Montreal, Canada, and roughly 220 miles north-northwest of Boston, making it a convenient stop on New England travel circuits.

A short walk from the waterfront brings visitors to the Church Street Marketplace, a pedestrian-only brick boulevard lined with independent shops, restaurants, and street performers. The outdoor mall anchors Burlington's downtown and serves as the social heart of the city, hosting festivals and a year-round farmers' market. It is essentially within the city center, steps from the lakefront.

Just south of Burlington, along the Lake Champlain shoreline, lies the Shelburne area, home to Shelburne Museum and the working landscape of Shelburne Farms. Shelburne Museum's collection of folk art, decorative arts, and historic buildings sprawls across a 45-acre campus and draws visitors interested in Vermont and early American material culture. The drive from downtown Burlington is roughly 15 minutes. Nearby Shelburne Farms, a National Historic Landmark, offers walking trails, cheesemaking, and lake views on a 1,400-acre estate.

Heading east from Burlington, the Green Mountains rise quickly, with the Mount Mansfield and Smugglers' Notch area offering hiking, climbing, and skiing. The drive to Stowe, one of New England's signature ski towns and a popular summer leaf-peeping destination, takes about 45 minutes via Route 100 or the Interstate. The route passes through several quintessential Vermont villages and working farms, and Stowe itself is anchored by the Mount Mansfield ski area in winter and a network of hiking and mountain-biking trails in summer.

About 35 minutes south of Burlington, the village of Waterbury is home to the original Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory, where visitors can tour the production floor and sample flavors on a guided visit. The same stretch of Interstate 89 leads onward to the Mad River Valley and the cross-state ski resorts, making Waterbury a common side trip for Burlington-based travelers.

Burlington is a compelling short-term-rental market because it pairs a compact, walkable downtown and a vibrant waterfront with quick access to lake recreation, mountain sports, and northern New England's most photographed small towns. Guests can spend a morning on Church Street, an afternoon sailing on Lake Champlain, and the next day exploring Stowe or touring the Shelburne campus, all returning each evening to a single well-located base. That combination of urban amenity, natural setting, and four-season appeal is exactly what drives consistent demand for well-positioned rental properties in the area.

Burlington, Vermont

Challenging To Investors

STR Regulations for Burlington, Vermont