Baltimore vs Boston
Maryland Legal but Limited | Massachusetts Legal but Limited
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Baltimore, Maryland | Boston, Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal but Limited |
| Permit Fee | $200 biennial license fee per dwelling unit | $25 registration fee |
| Tax Rate | 9.5% Baltimore Hotel Tax + 6% state lodging tax | 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Biennial | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $500/violation for unlicensed operation; up to $1,000 for state registration violations | $300/day for unregistered listing |
| Verdict | Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments. | |
Baltimore, Maryland
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $200 biennial license fee per dwelling unit
Tax Rate 9.5% Baltimore Hotel Tax + 6% state lodging tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Biennial
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500/violation for unlicensed operation; up to $1,000 for state registration violations
Boston, Massachusetts
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $25 registration fee
Tax Rate 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unregistered listing
Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.
Baltimore Overview
Primary residence required; max two licenses per host. Stays must be under 90 consecutive nights. Must pass home inspection.
Full Baltimore guide →Boston Overview
Only primary-residence units may be listed as STRs. Investor-owned (non-owner-occupied) short-term rentals are prohibited. Must register with the city and carry $1M liability insurance.
Full Boston guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Baltimore or Boston?
Baltimore is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Boston is "Legal but Limited." Baltimore's permit fee is $200 biennial license fee per dwelling unit compared to $25 registration fee in Boston.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Baltimore or Boston?
Baltimore charges 9.5% Baltimore Hotel Tax + 6% state lodging tax, while Boston charges 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Baltimore: $500/violation for unlicensed operation; up to $1,000 for state registration violations. Boston: $300/day for unregistered listing.