Rhode Island

When deciding whether to become an Airbnb host, it's important for you to understand the laws in your city. As a platform and marketplace, we do not provide legal advice but we want to provide some useful links that may help you better understand laws and regulations in Rhode Island. This list is not exhaustive, but it may give you a good start in understanding your local laws. We’ll continue to update this information as more becomes available. If you have questions, you can visit the State of Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation website, review their FAQs, contact agencies directly, or consult a local lawyer.

Registration assistance

Need help registering your listing or understanding if you are eligible to host in Rhode Island?

Airbnb has partnered with Rocket Lawyer to help connect you with a registration pro to guide you through the registration process.

Fill out the Rocket Lawyer sign up form to have a free consultation.

Short-term rental regulations

All hosts in Rhode Island are required to register short-term rental unit(s) with the Department of Business Regulation. A few listing types are exempt from registering as short-term rentals:

• Hotels and motels
• Long-term stay listings (reservations of 30 nights or more)

Actions a host needs to take (if not exempt)

• Step 1
  • Register your listing with the Department of Business Regulation
    • The registration process can be done online, and the application is processed as soon as it is submitted. There is a $50 fee to register.
• Step 2
  • Add your registration number and your registration number expiration date to your listing: As the last step, you’ll need to add your registration number and expiration date to your listing to finalize your registration with Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation. Failure to register your short-term rental unit(s) may result in fines of;
    • $250 for the first 30 days of non-compliance
    • $500 for between 31 and 60 days of non-compliance
    • $1,000 for more than 60 days of non-compliance

• Step 3
  • Stay up-to-date on the latest requirements, by visiting the State FAQ page.

What do I need to do to host in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island requires all hosts to register with the Department of Business Regulation. Here’s what you’ll need to register:

• Registration fee of $50.

• Information on the principal place of business of the property owner, an agent for service of process, or property manager for the owner;

• A phone number and e-mail address of the property owner or property manager;

• The address of the property;

• Information on whether you rent or own the property in question; and

• The number of rooms for rent at the property;

• Information on the property you’re sharing, including the number of rooms and whether you intend to share the entire space, a private room or shared space.

Rhode Island provides up to date information about registration on their FAQ page.

Renewing your registration

Your registration is valid for one year from the date of issuance or renewal.

Other contracts and rules

As a host, you need to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, including leases, co-op rules, HOA rules, or other rules established by tenant organizations. You should be able to find out more by contacting your housing authority (such as a community council) or landlord. Your lease (or other contracts) might also have specific details.

Our commitment to the community

We are committed to working with local officials to help them understand how Airbnb benefits our community. Where needed, we will continue to advocate for changes that will allow people to rent out their own homes.