Short-Term Rental Regulations
Every town around Lake Winnipesaukee handles STRs differently — some require permits, some cap rental days, and a few have no restrictions at all. Here’s where things stand in 2026.
NH Rooms & Meals Tax (RSA 78-A)
Regardless of local rules, every short-term rental operator in New Hampshire must register with the NH Department of Revenue Administration and collect the 8.5% Rooms & Meals Tax on all accommodations lasting fewer than 185 consecutive days.
This Is Not Optional
Even if your town has no STR permit requirement, you still must register with the NH DRA and collect the 8.5% tax. Failure to register can result in penalties and back taxes. File quarterly via the NH DRA's online portal.
Compare All 8 Towns
Click any town name to jump to its full STR breakdown below.
| Town | STR Status | Permit Type | Day Cap | Fee | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolfeboro | Conditional | Conditional Use Permit | — | $450 | Not required |
| Tuftonboro | No Permit | — | — | — | — |
| Moultonborough | Conditional | Site Plan Review | — | Varies — contact Planning Board | Not required |
| Meredith | Conditional | Special Exception | 120 days (owner-operated) / 90 days (non-owner) | $400/year license fee | Not required, but affects day cap tier |
| Alton | Permit Req. | STR Permit | — | Varies — cash/check only | Not required |
| Gilford | Conditional | Conditional Use Permit | 90 days per year | Varies — contact Planning Board | Not required |
| Laconia | Varies | Lodging Permit required; Special Exception in some zones | None (but 150-day owner-occupancy in some zones) | Varies — contact Planning Dept | Required (150 days/yr) in R1, R2, and most residential zones; NOT required in CR and SFR zones |
| Center Harbor | Ask Town | No dedicated STR ordinance | — | — | — |
Town-by-Town STR Rules
Expand any town for its full short-term rental breakdown: permit type, fees, day caps, owner-occupancy requirements, and contact information.
Towns with Active STR Regulation
Wolfeboro
ConditionalSTRs (stays under 30 days) require a CUP. One off-street parking space per bedroom, safety inspections (smoke/CO, egress), and 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax compliance required.
Day Cap—Fee$450
Wolfeboro
ConditionalSTRs (stays under 30 days) require a CUP. One off-street parking space per bedroom, safety inspections (smoke/CO, egress), and 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax compliance required.
- Permit Type
- Conditional Use Permit (Planning Board)
- Fee
- $450 ($300 application + $150 public hearing)
- Day Cap
- None
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required
- Effective Date
- 2025
STRs (stays under 30 days) require a CUP. One off-street parking space per bedroom, safety inspections (smoke/CO, egress), and 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax compliance required.
Contact
- Planning Board
- (603) 569-5970
- Building Dept
- (603) 569-5970
Moultonborough
ConditionalTwo-step approval process required: Site Plan Review by the Planning Board, then a Special Exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
Day Cap—FeeVaries — contact Planning Board
Moultonborough
ConditionalTwo-step approval process required: Site Plan Review by the Planning Board, then a Special Exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
- Permit Type
- Site Plan Review (Planning Board) + Special Exception (ZBA)
- Fee
- Varies — contact Planning Board
- Day Cap
- None
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required
- Effective Date
- Current ordinance
Two-step approval process required: Site Plan Review by the Planning Board, then a Special Exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
Contact
- Planning Board
- (603) 476-2347
- Building Dept
- (603) 476-2347
Meredith
ConditionalAmong the most detailed STR regulations in the Lakes Region. Two tiers: Owner-Identified Responsible (OIR) gets 120 days/year; Non-Owner-Identified Responsible (ONIR) gets 90 days/year. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
Day Cap120 days (owner-operated) / 90 days (non-owner)Fee$400/year license fee
Meredith
ConditionalAmong the most detailed STR regulations in the Lakes Region. Two tiers: Owner-Identified Responsible (OIR) gets 120 days/year; Non-Owner-Identified Responsible (ONIR) gets 90 days/year. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
- Permit Type
- Special Exception (ZBA) + $400/yr STR License
- Fee
- $400/year license fee
- Day Cap
- 120 days (owner-operated) / 90 days (non-owner)
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required, but affects day cap tier
- Effective Date
- 2022 (amended 2025)
Among the most detailed STR regulations in the Lakes Region. Two tiers: Owner-Identified Responsible (OIR) gets 120 days/year; Non-Owner-Identified Responsible (ONIR) gets 90 days/year. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
Contact
- Planning Board
- (603) 677-4215
- Building Dept
- (603) 677-4215
Alton
Permit Req.All STRs require a permit from the Building Department. Applications on the town website or at the Building Dept. Unpermitted STRs face fines. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
Day Cap—FeeVaries — cash/check only
Alton
Permit Req.All STRs require a permit from the Building Department. Applications on the town website or at the Building Dept. Unpermitted STRs face fines. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
- Permit Type
- STR Permit (Building Department)
- Fee
- Varies — cash/check only
- Day Cap
- None
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required
- Effective Date
- Jan 1, 2024 (adopted Sept 12, 2023)
All STRs require a permit from the Building Department. Applications on the town website or at the Building Dept. Unpermitted STRs face fines. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
Contact
- Planning Board
- (603) 875-2162
- Building Dept
- (603) 875-2164
Gilford
ConditionalCUP from the Planning Board required. STR operations capped at 90 days per year. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
Day Cap90 days per yearFeeVaries — contact Planning Board
Gilford
ConditionalCUP from the Planning Board required. STR operations capped at 90 days per year. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
- Permit Type
- Conditional Use Permit (Planning Board)
- Fee
- Varies — contact Planning Board
- Day Cap
- 90 days per year
- Owner Occupancy
- Not required
- Effective Date
- 2023
CUP from the Planning Board required. STR operations capped at 90 days per year. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
Contact
- Planning Board
- (603) 527-4727
- Building Dept
- (603) 527-4727
Laconia
VariesRules vary by zone. CR and SFR zones: unrestricted — no special permit beyond a Lodging Permit. Most other residential zones (R1, R2, etc.): Special Exception from ZBA + owner must occupy property 150+ days/year. Lodging Permit required for all STR operations. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
Day CapNone (but 150-day owner-occupancy in some zones)FeeVaries — contact Planning Dept
Laconia
VariesRules vary by zone. CR and SFR zones: unrestricted — no special permit beyond a Lodging Permit. Most other residential zones (R1, R2, etc.): Special Exception from ZBA + owner must occupy property 150+ days/year. Lodging Permit required for all STR operations. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
- Permit Type
- Lodging Permit required; Special Exception in some zones
- Fee
- Varies — contact Planning Dept
- Day Cap
- None (but 150-day owner-occupancy in some zones)
- Owner Occupancy
- Required (150 days/yr) in R1, R2, and most residential zones; NOT required in CR and SFR zones
- Effective Date
- Current ordinance
Rules vary by zone. CR and SFR zones: unrestricted — no special permit beyond a Lodging Permit. Most other residential zones (R1, R2, etc.): Special Exception from ZBA + owner must occupy property 150+ days/year. Lodging Permit required for all STR operations. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax applies.
Contact
- Planning Board
- (603) 527-1264
- Building Dept
- (603) 527-1264
Towns without Dedicated STR Rules
Tuftonboro
No PermitNo STR-specific ordinance. Not among the 64 NH communities with STR regulations. State NH Rooms & Meals Tax (8.5%) registration required.
Day Cap—Fee—
Tuftonboro
No PermitNo STR-specific ordinance. Not among the 64 NH communities with STR regulations. State NH Rooms & Meals Tax (8.5%) registration required.
- Permit Type
- None required
- Fee
- N/A
- Day Cap
- N/A
- Owner Occupancy
- N/A
- Effective Date
- N/A
No STR-specific ordinance. Not among the 64 NH communities with STR regulations. State NH Rooms & Meals Tax (8.5%) registration required.
Contact
- Planning Board
- (603) 569-4539 x121
- Building Dept
- (603) 569-4539 x115
Center Harbor
Ask TownNo dedicated STR ordinance, but operates under a permissive zoning code — uses not expressly permitted are generally prohibited. There is evidence that lodging is not considered a permitted use in the residential zone. Contact Planning & Zoning at (603) 253-4561 before listing. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax registration required regardless.
Day Cap—Fee—
Center Harbor
Ask TownNo dedicated STR ordinance, but operates under a permissive zoning code — uses not expressly permitted are generally prohibited. There is evidence that lodging is not considered a permitted use in the residential zone. Contact Planning & Zoning at (603) 253-4561 before listing. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax registration required regardless.
- Permit Type
- No dedicated STR ordinance
- Fee
- N/A
- Day Cap
- N/A
- Owner Occupancy
- N/A
- Effective Date
- N/A
No dedicated STR ordinance, but operates under a permissive zoning code — uses not expressly permitted are generally prohibited. There is evidence that lodging is not considered a permitted use in the residential zone. Contact Planning & Zoning at (603) 253-4561 before listing. 8.5% NH Rooms & Meals Tax registration required regardless.
Contact
- Planning Board
- (603) 253-4561
- Building Dept
- (603) 253-4561
- planningzoning@centerharbornh.gov
STR Operator Checklist
Register with NH DRA
Apply for a Rooms & Meals Tax operator number. Required for every STR in the state, regardless of local rules.
Check your town’s zoning
Contact the local planning board or building department to confirm whether a permit, special exception, or conditional use approval is needed.
Apply for any required permits
Some towns require building department permits; others need Planning Board or ZBA approval. Fees and timelines vary.
Comply with safety requirements
Working smoke and CO detectors, adequate egress in bedrooms, fire extinguisher, and proper septic capacity for occupancy.
Collect and remit the 8.5% tax
File quarterly with the NH DRA. Most listing platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) can collect automatically, but you’re ultimately responsible.
Know your day cap (if any)
Meredith (90–120 days) and Gilford (90 days) enforce annual day limits. Track your nights carefully to stay compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a "short-term rental" in New Hampshire?
Any rental of residential property for fewer than 185 consecutive days is considered a short-term rental under NH RSA 78-A. This includes Airbnb, VRBO, and traditional vacation rentals. Stays of 185+ consecutive days are treated as long-term leases and are exempt from the Rooms & Meals Tax.
Do I need a permit if I only rent a few weeks a year?
It depends on your town. Towns like Tuftonboro have no STR permit requirement regardless of frequency. Others like Wolfeboro require a Conditional Use Permit even for occasional rentals. You always need to register with the NH DRA for tax purposes.
Can my HOA or association block short-term rentals?
Yes. Private deed restrictions and HOA covenants can restrict or prohibit STRs even if the town allows them. Always check your deed and any association rules before listing.
What happens if I operate without a required permit?
Penalties vary by town. Alton imposes fines on unpermitted STRs. Meredith can revoke your STR license. Most towns can issue cease-and-desist orders. The NH DRA can also assess penalties for failure to collect and remit the 8.5% tax.
Are the STR rules changing?
Yes, NH towns are actively updating STR ordinances. Meredith amended theirs in 2025, Wolfeboro adopted new rules in 2025, and Alton’s took effect in 2024. Check with your town for the latest. We update this guide as new ordinances are adopted.
Does Yankee Pedlar handle STR permits for its rental properties?
Yankee Pedlar manages vacation rentals on behalf of property owners around Lake Winnipesaukee. We handle NH Rooms & Meals Tax collection and remittance for all bookings through our platform. Property owners are responsible for obtaining any required local permits.
Important Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. STR regulations are subject to change and may be interpreted differently by local officials. Always verify current requirements with your town's planning board or a qualified attorney before listing a property as a short-term rental.
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