Boston vs Columbus

Massachusetts Legal but Limited | Ohio Legal with Permit

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
Columbus, Ohio
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary)
Tax Rate 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation

Columbus has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Boston charges $25 registration fee for STR licensing, while Columbus charges $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary). Boston renewal is annual, and Columbus renewal is annual. Overall, Columbus has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Boston (Legal but Limited).

Tax Obligations

In Boston, hosts pay 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax. In Columbus, hosts pay 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

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 Columbus, violations can result in Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation. 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 →

Columbus Overview

Governed by Columbus Code Chapter 598; BCI background check required. Properties must be in eligible zoning district.

Contact: Dept. of Building and Zoning Services — (614) 645-8366

Full Columbus guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Boston or Columbus?
Boston is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Columbus is "Legal with Permit." Boston's permit fee is $25 registration fee compared to $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) in Columbus. Overall, Columbus has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Boston or Columbus?
Boston charges 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax, while Columbus charges 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Boston: $300/day for unregistered listing. Columbus: Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Boston and Columbus have day limits for Airbnb?
Boston has no annual day limit. Columbus has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Boston or Columbus?
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. Columbus charges $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) with 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Boston and Columbus makes compliance easier for beginners.