D.C. Code tit. 30, ch. 2 § 30-201.01
Definitions.
Operative Text
For the purposes of this subchapter , the term: (1) "Booking service" means any person or entity that facilitates short-term rental reservations and collects payment for lodging in a short-term rental. A booking service shall be a room remarketer within the meaning of § 47-2001(o-1) . (2) "Department" means the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection or its successor agency. (3) "Host" means a natural person who uses a booking service to provide a short-term rental to a transient guest. A host shall be a vendor within the meaning of §§ 47-2001(w) and 47-2201(g) . (4) "Primary residence" means the property is eligible for the homestead deduction pursuant to § 47-850 . (5) "Short-term rental" means paid lodging for transient guests with the host present, unless it is a vacation rental. A short-term rental is not a hotel, inn, motel, boarding house, rooming house, or bed and breakfast. A short-term rental operates within a portion of the host's residential property, unless it is a vacation rental. (6) "Vacation rental" means a short-term rental that operates within a host's residential property wherein a transient guest has exclusive use of the host's property during the transient guest's stay and the host is not present on the premises. A vacation rental is subject to additional restrictions, including § 30-201.06(e) .
D.C. Code § 30-201.01 et seq. establishes the foundational vocabulary for the District's short-term rental regulatory framework. Key terms defined include 'host' (a natural person offering lodging through a booking service), 'short-term rental' (paid lodging where the host is present on the property), and 'vacation rental' (a distinct category where the guest has exclusive use and the host is absent). Booking services—platforms that facilitate reservations and collect payment—are classified as room remarketers under D.C. tax law, while hosts are classified as vendors subject to applicable tax obligations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners who list space through platforms covered by D.C. Code § 30-201.01 et seq. should understand that the law draws a clear distinction between a standard short-term rental, where the host remains on the premises, and a vacation rental, where the guest has exclusive use of the property and the host is absent. Compliant operators generally ensure their listing type accurately reflects which category applies, since vacation rentals are subject to additional restrictions under the same subchapter. Because hosts are classified as vendors under D.C. tax law, operators typically account for applicable sales and use tax obligations tied to their rental activity.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Transient guests staying in D.C. short-term rentals benefit from knowing the definitions established in D.C. Code § 30-201.01 et seq., which distinguish between a standard short-term rental—where the host is present—and a vacation rental—where the guest has exclusive use of the property. These definitions determine which rules and restrictions apply to a given stay, including additional requirements that govern vacation rentals. Guests who believe a listing has been misrepresented or that a host is operating outside these defined categories may consider contacting the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection or a local tenant-rights organization for guidance.
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 13, 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