Lodging Establishments | Vermont Department of Health CLOSE Translations for you Lodging Establishments Food & Lodging Program Retail Food Service Establishments Food Processing Establishments Lodging Establishments Inspection Reports Temporary Food Service Establishments Home-Based Food Licenses and Exemptions Resources for License Holders What You Need to Know About Getting a Lodging License You will need a lodging license if you are operating a lodging business like a hotel, motel, tourist home or B&B that offers three or more guest rooms OR fewer units if you also prepare food. How to Get a Lodging License Determine which license you need. A lodging license is needed to operate a hotel, motel, tourist home or B&B that offers three or more guest units OR fewer units if you also prepare food. Short-term rentals like Vrbo and Airbnb that offer fewer than three units and don't serve any prepared food do not need a lodging license from the Health Department, but are subject to the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Fire Safety’s health and safety regulations for short-term rentals. A separate food service license is needed for a lodging facility that serves anything other than prepackaged items, whole fruit, or coffee. Apply for a retail food license Contact other state and local agencies. Contact the Department of Taxes to set up a tax account. Contact the Department of Environmental Conservation to obtain or change a wastewater permit. Search for a wastewater permit or contact a DEC regional office if you have questions about wastewater permits. Contact the Secretary of State's office to register a business name. Contact the Department of Public Safety for fire safety, electrical or plumbing inspections. Contact the Health Department lab or other certified lab to test a private water source. Submit a complete application packet. Fill out an online application or print the application and mail it in. Submit the application at least 30 days before you plan to open. WATER TEST RESULTS : If you have a private water system, you must test for total coliform and E. coli and provide a copy of acceptable results that are less than one year old. WASTEWATER DOCUMENTATION : A wastewater permit or permit exemption documentation is required in most cases. You can search for an existing WW permit online at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) or contact a DEC Regional Office . Read the Drinking Water and Wastewater Permitting for Food and Lodging FAQs from the DEC. Pass an opening inspection. Review the Licensed Lodging Establishment Rule Contact a public health inspector to schedule an opening inspection or if you have questions. Complete an opening inspection. You are approved to begin operating after you pass and have all permits in place from other agencies. The license will be emailed to you. You must print the license and post it at the physical location. License applications may be considered abandoned six months after submission if all the requirements for licensure are not met. Refunds will not be issued for abandoned applications. Apply Online Renew Your License Print a Lodging License Application Translated Information Application for License to Operate a Lodging Establishment or Children's Camp: العربية (Arabic) မြန်မာစာ (Burmese) 中文  (Simplified Chinese) دری (Dari) Français (French) Kirundi नेपाली (Nepali) پښتو (Pashto) Soomaali (Somali) Español (Spanish) Specific Information About: Short-term Rentals The Department of Public Safety's Division of Fire Safety has health and safety regulations that apply to short-term rentals that are not licensed by the Health Department as lodging establishments. Pursuant to 20 V.S.A., Chapter 172, short-term rentals are considered rental housing and are subject to the Vermont Rental Housing Health and Safety Code. The Division of Fire Safety responds to complaints alleging unsafe or unsanitary health conditions and inspects short-term rentals for compliance with the Rental Housing Health and Safety Code. Division of Fire Safety Health Considerations for Short-term Rental Operators Short Term Rental Safety, Health and Financial Obligations Camps A residential children’s camp that is a combination of programs established for the primary purpose of providing an experience for children operated and used for five or more consecutive days during one or more seasons of the year and supervising children for 24 hours a day requires a license from the Department of Health. Read the Requirements: Licensed Children's Camp Rule Read the Requirements: Health Regulations for Food Service Establishments Important Resources for You Guide to Opening a Lodging Establishment Application for License to Operate a Lodging Establishment Licensed Lodging Establishment Rule More Resources for You Title Description Bedbugs and Lodging Establishments This guide to bed bug identification, control and prevention helps lodging establishments plan for and respond to bed bug infestations. Boil Water Notice Guidelines Guidelines outlining temporary methods that must be followed in order to continue food service operations when a Boil Water Notice is issued. Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements: Service Animals This publication provides guidance on the term “service animal” and the service animal provisions in the Department of Justice's regulations. Americans with Disabilities Act and Service Animals: Frequently Asked Questions Read for more details about service animals and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Licensed Lodging Establishment Rule Current regulations for lodging facilities. Licensed Children's Camp Rule Current regulations for residential children's camps. Frequently Asked Questions Who is my health inspector? Use the map to find a public health inspector in your area I want to do short term rental housing like Airbnb or Vrbo. Do I need a license? The licensed lodging establishment rule covers anyone offering three or more guest rooms or units of lodging OR fewer units if you are also serving prepared food. If you do not prepare food and you offer one or two rooms for short-term rental housing, you must follow the Division of Fire Safety's rental housing health and safety requirements , but a lodging license is not required from the Health Department. I want to offer lodging but I'm not sure which requirements would apply to me? While most establishments that offer lodging will need a license from the Health Department, some short-term rental housing establishments have different requirements. There are other types of accommodations that don't fit either of these categories. Use the flow chart to determine which requirements might apply to you. Food & Lodging Program Mailing address: VT Dept of Health Environmental Health Food & Lodging Program 280 State Drive Waterbury, VT 05671-8350 Phone: 802-863-7221 or 800-439-8550 (toll-free within Vermont) Fax: 802-863-7483 Email: [email protected] Find the public health inspector in your area November 3, 2025