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Short-term rentals in Washington, DC

You can rent only your primary residence (Homestead-eligible). With you present there's no annual cap. Whole-home vacation rentals are capped at 90 nights a year. A basement unit counts as part of your residence.

A person last checked these rules on October 20, 2026. This is guidance only, so confirm with Washington before you build.

The details

  • Two licenses: short-term rental (host present) and vacation rental (host absent). Each costs $99 for two years.High confidence
  • Vacation rentals can't exceed 90 nights in a calendar year. Stays are limited to 30 nights.High confidence
  • Only individuals can host, not LLCs, and the home must qualify for the Homestead Deduction. English basements and ADUs count as part of that residence.High confidence

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SetbackIQ reads the zoning, flood zone, historic district, and environmental maps for your lot. Then it applies these rules.

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Common questions

Can I rent my home or ADU by the night in Washington?
You can rent only your primary residence (Homestead-eligible). With you present there's no annual cap. Whole-home vacation rentals are capped at 90 nights a year. A basement unit counts as part of your residence.

Sources

  1. DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Short-term rentals. Checked 2026-10-21
    [A short-term rental license] allows a host to offer fee-based lodging at their primary residence while the host is present... [A vacation rental license allows lodging] without being present... Cumulatively, vacation rentals cannot exceed 90 nights in any …

Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal or professional advice for any one property. Codes change. SetbackIQ is not a zoning determination, a permit, or a survey, and it does not replace an architect, engineer, or lawyer. Confirm with your building and zoning offices before you build, buy, or sign a contract.