Short-term rentals in Boston: regulation, compliance, and impact
Date
2025-10-28
DOI
Version
OA Version
Citation
Gyodi, K. et al. (Oct. 2025). "Short-term Rentals in Boston: Regulation, Compliance, and Impact." Policy Brief, Boston University Initiative on Cities.
Abstract
The short-term rental (STR) market expanded rapidly during the 2010s, offering benefits to tourism and local services but intensifying housing challenges in major cities. In response, municipalities have adopted a range of regulatory approaches to mitigate negative impacts. Boston introduced STR regulations in 2018 to protect housing availability and preserve neighborhood livability by restricting professional operators while allowing registered home-sharing. This study examines the effects of Boston’s regulatory framework on the size and composition of the city’s STR market. It further assesses compliance levels and identifies enforcement gaps and rule-evasion strategies used by major market actors.
Description
License
Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States