Boston vs Charlotte
Massachusetts Legal but Limited | North Carolina Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Boston, Massachusetts | Charlotte, North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | $25 registration fee | Business license required; contact city for current fee |
| Tax Rate | 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax | ~15.25% combined (7.25% state+local sales + 8% Mecklenburg County room occupancy tax) |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $300/day for unregistered listing | $500/day for continued non-compliance |
| Verdict | Charlotte has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
Charlotte, North Carolina
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee Business license required; contact city for current fee
Tax Rate ~15.25% combined (7.25% state+local sales + 8% Mecklenburg County room occupancy tax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500/day for continued non-compliance
Charlotte has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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 →Charlotte Overview
Charlotte removed STR-specific zoning regulations from its UDO in April 2022, making it one of NC's most permissive markets. Hosts must still obtain a business license and register for Mecklenburg County room occupancy tax.
Full Charlotte guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Boston or Charlotte?
Boston is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Charlotte is "Legal with Permit." Boston's permit fee is $25 registration fee compared to Business license required; contact city for current fee in Charlotte.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Boston or Charlotte?
Boston charges 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax, while Charlotte charges ~15.25% combined (7.25% state+local sales + 8% Mecklenburg County room occupancy tax). Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Boston: $300/day for unregistered listing. Charlotte: $500/day for continued non-compliance.