Why Guests Come to South Burlington
- The airport. Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) is in South Burlington, operated by the City of Burlington. Early flights, late arrivals and airline crews all create demand for a bed nearby, and the airport's Project NexT terminal expansion has opened to passengers.
- Next door to Burlington. The University of Vermont, UVM Medical Center and Church Street Marketplace are a short drive away, so South Burlington catches overflow from every big Burlington weekend and long hospital stays.
- Lake Champlain. Red Rocks Park has a 3.3-mile trail network through hemlock and pine to a rocky shoreline with views of the lake, Shelburne Bay and the Adirondacks, plus a swimming beach. The Burlington Greenway and Island Line Trail start minutes away.
- Festivals and races. Burlington's Discover Jazz Festival (June 3 to 7 in 2026) and the Vermont City Marathon, set for May 30, 2027, fill rooms across the county.
The South Burlington Rental Year
Demand here follows Burlington's calendar. Summer brings lake vacations and festival weekends, fall brings college move-in, family weekends and foliage traffic on I-89, and winter brings skiers who want to be near the airport and the interstate. Business travel and medical stays run all year and soften the off-season more than in a pure resort town. Commencement in May and Memorial Day weekend are reliable spring peaks.
Short-Term Rental Rules in South Burlington
The City Council adopted the Residential Rental Registry Ordinance on February 20, 2024, and it took effect April 1, 2024. It is Chapter 23 of the city's Code of Ordinances and is run by the Fire Department's Rental Registry office. As of October 2026, the code and the city's FAQ say:
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Who must register | Every rental unit, short-term and long-term, and each must be inspected by the city |
| Where a new STR is allowed | Only in an owner-occupied unit, a tenant-occupied unit with the owner's permission, or an accessory dwelling unit |
| Owner-occupied | Your primary residence, where you live more than half the year and register for tax and ID purposes |
| Existing non-owner STRs | Allowed only if established before April 1, 2024, kept under the same ownership and not stopped for six months or more; the exception ends with a sale |
| Sunset | Existing non-owner STRs may operate until March 31, 2028; from April 1, 2028 they must meet all the rules |
| Occupancy | Two guests per bedroom or sleeping area, plus no more than two more |
| Local agent | Owners who live outside Chittenden County must name a managing agent in the county; every property needs an in-county emergency contact |
| Registration number | Must be displayed in the unit and in every ad |
| Gatherings | Parties, weddings, reunions and similar events that draw more people or cars than the guest limit are prohibited |
| Pets | Only with proof of rabies vaccination, plus information on leash rules and ticks |
| Annual fees | $1,500 for an existing STR, $150 for an owner-occupied STR or ADU, $150 for a long-term rental |
| Penalties | Up to $800 per day while a violation continues |
The code also requires cleaning before each new guest and a written guest packet with the owner's contact, the fire marshal's contact, fire extinguisher and heating shut-off instructions, an egress diagram and the city's public nuisance ordinance. Questions go to the Rental Registry office at 802-556-4730.
State tax. South Burlington has had the 1% local option rooms tax since October 2007, so a short-term rental there carries 13% in total: Vermont's 9% rooms tax, the 3% short-term rental surcharge and the 1% local tax. Platforms collect them on their bookings. See our Vermont rules and taxes page.
Running a Rental in South Burlington
- Check the 2028 date before you buy. A non-owner-occupied rental that is grandfathered today loses that status at a sale and in any case on April 1, 2028. If you will not live there, plan for an ADU, a 30-night furnished rental (see our mid-term rentals guide) or a long-term lease.
- Count beds against the occupancy cap. A three-bedroom home tops out at eight guests under the city's formula, which also matches the state fire safety line for a single dwelling.
- Parking. The ordinance requires short-term rentals to follow city parking rules, and registration asks how many spaces are dedicated to the unit. List what your driveway really holds.
- Inspections. The Fire Department publishes a rental inspection checklist; walk it before your inspection, especially smoke and CO alarms and bedroom egress.
- Condos. Many South Burlington homes are in associations with their own leasing rules; read our HOA and condo rules page before you list.
How New England Host Co Works in South Burlington
New England Host Co manages short-term rentals across Vermont, and every home must be within 45 minutes of its crew's base, so send us your South Burlington address and we will confirm. Full-service management covers listing and photography, daily pricing with PriceLabs, guest messaging, and housekeeping with an inspection after every stay, which lines up with the city's clean-before-every-guest rule. Registration fees stay with the owner. Nearby towns are on our Greater Burlington page.
FAQ
Can I start a new Airbnb in South Burlington in a house I don't live in?
No. As of October 2026, a new short-term rental must be owner-occupied, tenant-occupied with the owner's permission, or an accessory dwelling unit.
What Happens to Existing Non-Owner-Occupied Rentals in 2028?
They can keep operating until March 31, 2028, as long as ownership does not change. From April 1, 2028 they must meet the owner-occupied or ADU requirement.
How Much Is South Burlington's Rental Registration Fee?
$150 a year for an owner-occupied short-term rental or ADU, and $1,500 a year for an existing non-owner-occupied short-term rental.
How Many Guests Can Stay?
Two per bedroom or sleeping area, plus two more.
This page is general information as of October 2026, not legal or tax advice; confirm with the City of South Burlington before you list.
Sources
- Rental Registry, City of South Burlington Fire Department
- South Burlington Code of Ordinances, Chapter 23, Residential Rental Registry (Municode)
- Local Option Tax, Vermont Department of Taxes
- Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport
- Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, the Flynn
- Vermont City Marathon, RunVermont
- Red Rocks Park, Trail Finder
