Short-Term Rental Laws in Stamford, Connecticut

Stamford's 2023 zoning amendment restricts non-owner-occupied STRs in single-family residential zones. Owner-Occupied STRs are broadly permitted citywide with annual registration. Non-Owner-Occupied STRs are limited to Mixed-Use, Downtown (Core, Edge, and South End mixed-use districts), and certain Commercial zones. The Stamford-NYC commuter market (28% of Stamford workforce reverse-commutes to Manhattan) drives strong corporate-furnished-rental demand at the 30+ day mark, which falls outside the STR ordinance — the regulatory framework effectively pushes investor capital toward mid-term rather than nightly turnover.

Stamford zoning: Downtown (CC-N, CC-S, MX-D) and South End mixed-use — STR broadly permitted including Non-Owner-Occupied. Mixed-Use districts (MX-T, MX-LR) — both Owner-Occupied and Non-Owner-Occupied permitted. Single-Family Residential (R-7.5, R-10, R-20, RA-1) — only Owner-Occupied STR permitted; Non-Owner-Occupied STR generally not permitted. Multi-Family Residential (R-MF, RH) — Owner-Occupied broadly permitted; Non-Owner-Occupied subject to building-owner consent and zoning compliance.

Operators must hold a short-term rental permit before listing. See the official permit portal.

Stamford Land Use Bureau administers STR registration with annual renewal. Application requires proof of insurance, designated 24/7 local responsible-party contact, life-safety self-certification, parking plan, and primary-residence verification for owner-occupied applicants. CT DRS collects the 15% state room occupancy tax via myconneCT. Operating without registration: $250+ per violation. Stamford's ordinance is one of CT's newer frameworks; enforcement is ramping up through 2024–2026 with platform-data cross-checks.

Combined short-term lodging tax in Stamford is approximately 15.000% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

CT State room occupancy tax 15% (no county or municipal lodging tax layer) on transient lodging

Verify the current combined rate via the Utah State Tax Commission before remitting — rates drift quarterly.