Short-term rental rules · Newport, Rhode Island
Short-term rentals in Newport, explained properly.
Newport limits short-term rentals (under 30 days) in its residential zones to homes that are the owner's primary residence, with a maximum of two bedrooms and four guests, according to a secondary source. Non-owner-occupied short-term rentals are permitted in General Business, Commercial Industrial and Waterfront Business zones, and by special use permit in Limited Business zones. Hosts register annually with the city ($1,000 per location reported) and must also register with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, as state law requires for any rental listed on a hosting platform.
Draft. These rules were compiled from the sources listed below — official where available, with fields that rely on secondary sources marked for review — and have not yet been checked line by line. Confirm with the city before making decisions.
At a glance
What you need to know before you buy or list
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Residential zones: primary residence only | Property owners in residential zones may not rent for less than 30 days unless the home is their primary residence, with a maximum of two bedrooms and four guests[1]Confirming |
| Allowed in business and waterfront zones | Short-term rentals are permitted by right in General Business, Commercial Industrial and Waterfront Business zones, and with a special use permit in Limited Business zones[1]Confirming |
| Annual city registration, $1,000 reported | A secondary source reports hosts must register with the city's short-term rental supervisor before renting, at $1,000 per location per year; the city also publishes an annual rental dwelling registration form[1][2]Confirming |
| State DBR registration | Any short-term rental listed on a hosting platform doing business in Rhode Island must register with the Department of Business Regulation (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14)[3] |
| Last researched | September 25, 2026 |
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Most Newport details come from a single secondary source. Confirm the zoning rules, owner-occupancy definition, fee and penalties in the Newport Code of Ordinances (Municode) and check for state legislation limiting local STR rules. Middletown and Jamestown are separate towns.
Sources
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This page is general information compiled from public sources, not legal or tax advice. HOA rules, deed restrictions and zoning for a specific property can be stricter. Confirm with the local permitting office and a qualified professional before buying or listing a property.