Boston vs Savannah

Massachusetts Legal but Limited | Georgia 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
Savannah, Georgia
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $400 initial application; $250/year renewal
Tax Rate 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation

Savannah has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Boston charges $25 registration fee for STR licensing, while Savannah charges $400 initial application; $250/year renewal. Boston renewal is annual, and Savannah renewal is annual. Overall, Savannah 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 Savannah, hosts pay 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state 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 Savannah, violations can result in Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation. 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 →

Savannah Overview

STVRs permitted within Downtown, Victorian, and Streetcar historic district overlay zones, plus select commercial/agriculture zones. 20% per-ward cap applies to non-owner-occupied parcels in historic districts.

Contact: Savannah Planning & Urban Design — (912) 525-2783

Full Savannah guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Boston or Savannah?
Boston is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Savannah is "Legal with Permit." Boston's permit fee is $25 registration fee compared to $400 initial application; $250/year renewal in Savannah. Overall, Savannah has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Boston or Savannah?
Boston charges 6.5% state excise + 6% city convention center tax, while Savannah charges 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Boston: $300/day for unregistered listing. Savannah: Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Boston and Savannah have day limits for Airbnb?
Boston has no annual day limit. Savannah has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Boston or Savannah?
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. Savannah charges $400 initial application; $250/year renewal with 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Boston and Savannah makes compliance easier for beginners.