Conway's Short-Term Rental History, in Brief
Few New Hampshire towns have fought over short-term rentals as publicly as Conway. The sequence matters, because it explains today's rules.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 2021 | Voters rejected rules that would have permitted short-term rentals in single-family residential zones, but voted to give the select board authority to regulate and license them |
| June 2021 | The town asked the Carroll County Superior Court to confirm that its zoning barred non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in residential districts; it estimated more than 500 operators were in violation |
| January 25, 2022 | Judge Amy Ignatius ruled for the owner, Scott Kudrick |
| May 2, 2023 | The NH Supreme Court, 4 to 1, agreed: Conway's ordinance did not prohibit short-term rentals in residential areas, because they met its definition of a residential dwelling unit |
| May 2023 | Town staff began looking at licensing and inspecting all rental properties, short or long term |
| February 2025 | The Planning Board voted 4 to 3 to drop an owner-occupancy requirement for short-term rentals from a proposed zoning amendment |
| September 2, 2025 | Registration opened for the town's Chapter 72 rental program |
The Supreme Court case, Town of Conway v. Kudrick, is now one of the decisions every New Hampshire planning board reads. It turned on Conway's own definitions, and it did not create a statewide right to rent. Our New Hampshire short-term rental laws page puts it next to the Portsmouth case that went the other way.
Zoning Today
As decided in 2023, Conway's zoning, as then written, allowed non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in residential districts. In February 2025, the Planning Board voted to remove a proposed owner-occupancy requirement from its warrant article, which board members described as keeping the status quo.
We did not find a later zoning amendment that restricts short-term rentals by district. Because zoning can change at any March town meeting, confirm the current rule for your address with the town before you list.
Chapter 72: The Rental Property Permit
Conway's main tool now is Chapter 72 of the town code, Housing and Life Safety Standards. The town's FAQ says plainly: "All rental properties must register with the program." That includes short-term rentals, seasonal rentals and long-term leases.
Your Options as an Owner
From the town's FAQ:
- One and two-family homes can either file a self-affidavit certifying the property complies with the housing standards, or request a town inspection.
- Properties with three or more units must register for a town-conducted inspection.
- Selling? Neither an affidavit nor an inspection carries over to a new owner. The new owner must register and complete a physical inspection before listing the property for rent.
- Converting your own home to a rental? If a property changes from a primary dwelling to a rental, the owner must register and complete a town inspection before renting it out.
Fees, as of October 2026
The town's fee schedule (approved by the Board of Selectmen in October 2025) lists:
| Property | Permit fee | Term |
|---|---|---|
| One or two-family dwelling (self-affidavit) | $50 | 2 years |
| Multi-family, 3 to 11 units | $50 plus $25 per unit | 3 years |
| Multi-family, 12 or more units | $50 plus $25 per unit | 1 year |
The town's earlier FAQ described self-affidavits as valid for one year, so if the term matters to your planning, ask which applies.
What the Standards Look At
The chapter text and the inspection checklist posted on the town's website (both marked as drafts when we read them) cover items an owner can check in an afternoon:
- Address numbers visible from the street, at least 4 inches tall
- Smoke alarms on every level and inside each sleeping unit, as required by the State of New Hampshire
- Carbon monoxide alarms on each level
- A means of egress and a means of escape from each sleeping area
- Gas heating serviced within 12 months; oil heat serviced on the manufacturer's schedule
- Wood stoves, chimneys, electrical, fire extinguishers, fire pits and grills, each on its own checklist
The draft chapter also lists, as applicable, a copy of your state Meals and Rooms license; a septic inspection within the past five years for systems more than ten years old; and a new certificate of occupancy if you advertise more occupants than the town previously approved. Confirm the final requirements with the town before you rely on them.
Who to Call
The town's FAQ points owners to the Housing Standards program at (603) 447-3811, and the fee schedule directs permit questions to the Town of Conway Zoning Department. Ask them:
- Is my property registered, and is a self-affidavit enough or do I need an inspection?
- Has anything changed in the zoning for my district since 2023?
- Does my septic approval and certificate of occupancy support the number of guests I plan to advertise?
Mount Washington Valley Realities
North Conway rentals live by two seasons and a foliage peak, and winter is the hard part. Plan for plowing before guests arrive, roof snow and ice, heat that cannot fail when no one is home, and a clear note in your house manual about driving and parking in snow. Our winter rental management guide and the best winter amenities for ski area rentals list cover both.
State Rules on Top of Town Rules
Every New Hampshire short-term rental also needs the state's Meals and Rooms operator license, and stays under 185 consecutive days carry the 8.5% rooms tax. Airbnb and Vrbo collect it on their bookings; the license, direct bookings and filings are still yours. See New Hampshire rooms tax for vacation rentals, and for condos in the valley, HOA and condo rules.
A Note on New England Host Co
New England Host Co manages vacation rentals in Southern New Hampshire, the Lakes Region, Central Massachusetts and Southern Vermont, and keeps every home within 45 minutes of its crew's base. Before assuming we can cover a Conway property, ask; start with the full owner guide or contact us.
This page is general information, not legal advice; check with the Town of Conway or a professional before you rent.
FAQ
Are Airbnbs Allowed in North Conway?
North Conway is part of the Town of Conway. In 2023 the NH Supreme Court held that Conway's zoning allowed non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in residential districts. Every rental must now also register under Chapter 72.
Do I Need a Permit to Rent My North Conway Home Short-Term?
Yes. All rental properties in Conway must register under the Chapter 72 rental program, by self-affidavit or inspection for one and two-family homes. You also need a state Meals and Rooms license.
How Much Is Conway's Rental Permit?
The town's October 2025 fee schedule lists $50 for a one or two-family home, with a two-year term, and $50 plus $25 per unit for multi-family buildings.
What Happened in Town of Conway V. Kudrick?
On May 2, 2023, the NH Supreme Court ruled 4 to 1 that Conway's ordinance did not prohibit non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in residential districts, because they fit its definition of a residential dwelling unit.
Sources
- NHPR, Conway goes to court to limit Airbnbs, other short-term rentals (June 2021)
- NH Business Review, Conway appeals short-term rental ruling to NH Supreme Court
- NH Business Review, Conway v. Kudrick decision (May 2023)
- NH Business Review, Conway officials look at licensing and inspecting all rental properties
- NH Business Review, Conway planners seek to walk back proposed STR regs (February 2025)
- Town of Conway, Chapter 72 Housing Standards Program FAQ
- Town of Conway, Rental Property Certificate Program fee schedule
- Town of Conway, Chapter 72 Housing and Life Safety Standards (draft)
- Town of Conway, Housing and Life Safety Standards Checklist (draft, May 12, 2025)
- Town of Conway, Documents
