230– Department of Business Regulation - Chapter 30 - Commercial Licensing - Subchapter 20 - Real Estate - Part 4 - Short-Term Rental Property Registration

Sep 24, 2026

This regulation part, promulgated under Rhode Island General Laws § 42-63.1-14, sets standards and procedures for registering short-term rental properties offered through third-party hosting platforms operating in Rhode Island. It defines key terms (Department, Director, Owner, Registrant, Registration, rooms for rent, and short-term rental), requires owners to submit complete electronic registration applications with applicable fees, and provides rules for registration terms, timely renewal, termination, prohibited transfer, and updating information within ten business days of changes. Fees are non-refundable and violations may lead to statutory penalties.

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TITLE 230 - Department of Business Regulation

Chapter 30 - Commercial Licensing

Subchapter 20 - Real Estate

Part 4 - Short-Term Rental Property Registration

4.1 Authority

4.2 Purpose

4.3 Definitions

4.4 Registrations

4.4.1 Applications for Registration

4.4.2 Term of Registration

4.4.3 Renewal of Registration

4.4.4 Termination of Registration

4.4.5 Transfer of Registration Prohibited

4.4.6 Duty to Update Information on File with the Department

4.5 Fees and Charges

4.6 Notices of Violation and Penalties for Failure to Register

230-RICR-30-20-4 TITLE 230– DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS REGULATION CHAPTER 30 – COMMERCIAL LICENSING SUBCHAPTER 20– REAL ESTATE PART 4 – Short-Term Rental Property Registration 4.1 Authority This Part is promulgated pursuant to the authority granted in R. I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14. 4.2 Purpose The purpose of this Part is to establish standards and procedures for the registration of short-term rental properties listed for rent on the website of any third-party hosting platform that conducts business in Rhode Island. 4.3 Definitions A. In addition to the terms defined in R. I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-2 , for this Part, the following terms shall have the following meanings: 1. “Department” means the Department of Business Regulation. 2. “Director” means the Director of the Department of Business Regulation or his or her designee. 3. “Owner” has the meaning set forth in R. I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-2. Note that the definition of “Owner” includes a lessee where the lessee is offering a residential unit for “tourist or transient” use. 4. “Registrant” means the Owner registering a property with the Department as a short-term rental as required by R. I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14. 5. “Registration” means a Registration for a short-term rental property as required by R. I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14. 6. “Rooms for rent” means the number of rooms in the short-term rental exclusive of bathrooms and kitchens. 7. “Short-term rental” has the meaning set forth in R. I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1- 14(b) . 4.4 Registrations In accordance with R. I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1-14 , all short-term rental properties listed for rent on the website of any third-party hosting platform that conducts business in Rhode Island must be registered with the Department. 4.4.1 Applications for Registration A. Every Owner of a short-term rental property subject to R. I. Gen. Laws § 42-63.1- 14 shall submit a complete application to the Department along with the applicable fee for each property advertised for short-term rental. B. Registrations will be issued for each property. If a person or entity operates multiple short-term rental properties, each individual property must be separately registered with the Department. C. The application shall include the information set forth in R. I. Gen. Laws § 42- 63.1-14(d) and any other information the Department may require. D. Upon submission of a complete Registration application, the Department shall issue a Registration. E. No Registration will be issued for incomplete or deficient applications. F. All applications for Registration and renewal shall be submitted electronically through a registration system as directed by the Department. 4.4.2 Term of Registration A. The term of the Registration shall be two (2) years from the date on which it was issued. B. The expiration date of the Registration shall appear on the Registration. It is the obligation of the Registrant to timely renew its Registration. Failure to receive a renewal notice shall not be an excuse for failure to renew. 4.4.3 Renewal of Registration A. Registrants shall apply for the renewal of the Registration with the Department in the manner designated for renewal by the Department. B. Renewal applications must be received by the Department prior to the expiration of the Registration. C. Registrations that are not renewed prior to their expiration date shall expire. 4.4.4 Termination of Registration A. If the Registrant is no longer going to use the property as a short-term rental advertised on a hosting platform, the Registrant shall terminate the Registration with the Department by submitting a notice of termination to the Department. B. The notice shall be made by submitting a termination affidavit, in the manner directed by the Department, within sixty (60) calendar days of such discontinuance of use as a short-term rental. 4.4.5 Transfer of Registration Prohibited A. A Registration shall be granted only to

FAQs

Who is required to register a short-term rental property in Rhode Island?

The Owner must register each short-term rental property with the Department when the property is listed for rent on a Rhode Island third-party hosting platform.

What is the registration term and renewal requirement?

The registration term is two years from the issuance date. The Registrant must timely renew, and renewals must be received before the expiration date.

How can a Registrant terminate a registration and when must it be submitted?

If the property will no longer be used as a short-term rental on a hosting platform, the Registrant must terminate by submitting a termination affidavit within sixty calendar days of discontinuance.

Sep 24, 2026

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