Boston vs Charleston

Massachusetts Legal but Limited | South Carolina Restricted

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

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
Charleston, South Carolina
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee
Tax Rate ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible

Boston has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Boston charges $25 registration fee for STR licensing, while Charleston charges $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee. Boston renewal is annual, and Charleston renewal is annual. Overall, Boston has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to Charleston (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Boston, hosts pay 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax. In Charleston, hosts pay ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Boston, but hosts in Charleston must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Boston face penalties including $300/day for unregistered listing. In Charleston, violations can result in Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

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.

Contact: Boston Inspectional Services — (617) 635-5300

Full Boston guide →

Charleston Overview

Whole-house STRs are effectively banned; at least one full-time resident must sleep on-site each night. Max 4 adult guests. Charleston is one of the few U.S. cities that criminally prosecutes illegal STR operators. $1M liability insurance required.

Contact: Charleston Dept. of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability — (843) 724-7311

Full Charleston guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Boston or Charleston?
Boston is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Charleston is "Restricted." Boston's permit fee is $25 registration fee compared to $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee in Charleston. Overall, Boston has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Boston or Charleston?
Boston charges 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax, while Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes). Notably, Boston benefits from automatic platform tax collection, while hosts in Charleston must handle taxes themselves.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Boston: $300/day for unregistered listing. Charleston: Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Boston and Charleston have day limits for Airbnb?
Boston has no annual day limit. Charleston has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Boston or Charleston?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Boston charges $25 registration fee for permits with 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax in taxes. Charleston charges $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee with ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes). Automatic tax collection in Boston makes compliance easier for beginners.