D.C. Code tit. 30, ch. 2 § 30-201.02
Restrictions on short-term rentals.
Operative Text
(a) A short-term rental shall require a valid basic business license with a "Short-Term Rental" endorsement, in addition to any other license required by law. A vacation rental shall require a valid basic business license with a "Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental" endorsement, in addition to any other license required by law. (b) A host providing a short-term rental shall have current liability insurance of at least $500,000, which may be provided by the booking service. The Mayor may adjust the minimum dollar amount of this insurance requirement by rulemaking. (c) A host shall provide each transient guest in a short-term rental a 24-hour accessible telephone number to the host, or to a person who has authority to act on behalf of the host, in the event of an emergency. (d) The property at which the short-term rental is located shall be the host's primary residence. (e) A host may offer multiple short-term rentals at a single property, such as a bedroom and an in-law suite, subject to all applicable occupancy limits contained in Title 11, Title 12, and Title 14 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations. (f) For the purposes of 18 DCMR § 2414.14, a transient guest of a vacation rental shall not be considered a guest of a resident in the Advisory Neighborhood Commission area designated on an annual visitor parking permit.
Under D.C. Code § 30-201.02, operating a short-term rental in the District of Columbia requires a valid basic business license with the appropriate endorsement — either a general "Short-Term Rental" endorsement or a "Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental" endorsement for vacation rentals. Hosts must carry at least $500,000 in liability insurance, maintain a 24-hour emergency contact number for guests, and operate only out of their primary residence. Multiple rental spaces at a single property are permitted within applicable occupancy limits, and transient guests of vacation rentals do not count as residents' guests for annual visitor parking permit purposes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating short-term rentals in the District should be aware that D.C. Code § 30-201.02 establishes several baseline compliance requirements. A compliant operator secures the correct basic business license endorsement before listing a property, maintains liability insurance of at least $500,000 (which a booking platform may provide), ensures the rental property is their primary residence, and keeps a 24-hour emergency contact available for guests. Operators offering multiple rental spaces within a single primary residence — such as a spare bedroom alongside an in-law suite — generally confirm that all arrangements remain within the occupancy limits set by Titles 11, 12, and 14 of the D.C. Municipal Regulations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
D.C. Code § 30-201.02 establishes rights and protections for guests staying in short-term rentals in the District of Columbia. Transient guests are entitled to a 24-hour accessible emergency phone number for the host or an authorized representative, and the host is required to carry at least $500,000 in liability insurance. Guests who believe a host is operating without the required business license endorsement or otherwise outside these rules may report concerns to the District's licensing and regulatory authorities, or consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with D.C. short-term rental law for guidance on available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation