Short-Term Rental Registration

Registration is now live. 

Click here to register.

Registration will be via an online form. The Town has contracted with Deckard Technologies to run the online registration portal.

When you submit your registration form through the portal, you will automatically receive a confirmation email which will confirm that you have registered your short-term rental (If you do not receive the email, please check your junk mail folder or contact the Town Manager's office at 802-253-7350).

Following the submission, staff will review the registration and send another confirmation email indicating that it has been reviewed. Staff may request that you correct information in the form, if necessary.

Users will have the capability to view, manage, renew, cancel, etc. their registration(s) and update contact information via the online portal at any time.

STR Registration Form Summary and Outline(PDF, 919KB)

The Selectboard has set the 2025 registration fee at $100 per unit.

The Designated Responsible Person is the primary contact for Town public safety departments. They may be the owner, a property management company, or the front desk in the case of properties with onsite management.

The DRP must be available when the property is being rented or leased as an STR and must respond in-person to the STR within 45 minutes of being contacted by Stowe public safety department, unless excused.

Person or Persons designated and authorized by the Owner to act as their agent, or that Person's employee or agent, capable of and responsible for responding to emergency situations and other issues related to the STR when the property is being rented or leased as an STR, including providing first responders with timely interior and exterior access to the Short-Term Rental. For the sake of clarity, the Designated Responsible Person may be the Owner of the STR.

All STR properties shall have a Designated Responsible Person, who may be the STR Owner, who is available and authorized to respond to emergency situations and other issues related to the STR when the property is being rented or leased as an STR. The designated Responsible Person shall respond within 45 minutes of notification by a Stowe Firefighter or Police Officer regarding any issue or problem involving a Short-Term Rental when the property is being rented or leased as an STR. For the purposes of the foregoing sentence, "respond" shall mean arrive, in person, at the location of the involved Short-Term Rental property, unless specifically excused from doing so by a Stowe Firefighter, Police Officer, the Town Manager or other Person authorized to enforce this Ordinance. This provision is not intended to require a Designated Responsible Person to violate the law, including speed limits, or place themselves or others in an unreasonable at-risk situation to facilitate a timely response.

A unit within a commercial lodging facility that is owned independently would need to be registered as it is separately owned from the commercial lodging facility. Please see the below excerpt from the STR ordinance.

For the sake of clarity, the definition of Short Term Rental shall include residential real property located within a Commercial Lodging Facility that is held in separate and unaffiliated ownership from the Commercial Lodging Establishment itself, as in the case of individually owned rooms within a so-called condominium hotel, where said residential real property is rented to the transient, traveling, or vacationing public for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive days and for more than 14 days per calendar year.

No, there are not plans to post a public database of STR registrations on the website.

Yes, the Stowe zoning bylaws allow short-term rentals of less than a week at a time. The Short-Term Rental Registration Ordinance applies to short-term rental properties of 14 or more days per calendar year.

State law nor the Town ordinance would define this property as an STR as it does not meet the 14 day requirement. The total number of days rented on a short-term basis would need to exceed 14 days in a calendar year. Days rented on a long-term basis (30 days or more at a time) are not included in this calculation.

The Fire Department has a secure master key located in their vehicles, only accessible via unique pins. The Knoxbox can only be opened with that key. With one master key available only to the fire department, we can gain access to any structure, outbuilding, residence, gate, etc. that has a Knoxbox installed. There are several benefits to having a Knox Box, including:

• Reduce response time, which is critical during a fire or medical emergency.
•  Eliminate wait time for a property owner to provide access at any given hour.
•  Avoid property damage resulting from the need to force windows or doors open to gain entry.
•  Provide security for sick, disabled, or injured individuals who may not be able to answer the door.
•  Reduce liability resulting from lost or unsecured keys.

When you install your Knoxbox, you will need to set up an appointment with the Fire Department (fire@stowevt.gov or 802-253-4315) so they can open it and place your key inside.

Visit: https://www.knoxbox.com/Products/Residential-KnoxBoxes to order a Knoxbox. Select Vermont and Stowe Fire Dept. 

You may order either a commercial or residential Knoxbox for any property, regardless of whether it is a commercial or residential property. Commercial Knoxboxes are larger and have more capacity than the smallest residential Homebox, but are more expensive.

• Residential Homebox - $210 (fits 1 key - 4" x 2.5")
• Residential Box 1658 - $367 (fits multiple keys - 5" x 4")
• Commercial Knoxbox 3200 - $487 (fits multiple keys/items - 5" x 4")
• Commercial Knoxbox 4400 - $844 (maximum capacity  -7" x 7")

Knoxbox product with electronic locks are also available, which provides an extra layer of security. Most Knoxboxes with mechanical key cores can be retrofitted to be e-locks.

Most Knoxbox products can be ordered in multiple colors and with additional accessories, which may affect the price.

When you install your Knoxbox, you will need to set up an appointment with the Fire Department (fire@stowevt.gov or 802-253-4315) so they can open it and place your key inside.

The homeowner is responsible for installing the Knoxbox. The Fire Department may advise the homeowner on KnoxBox location, if desired. It should be placed near the door that is being accessed. Circumstances will differ for each property.

KnoxBox FAQ: https://www.knoxbox.com/Support/FAQs

When you install your Knoxbox, you will need to set up an appointment with the Fire Department (fire@stowevt.gov or 802-253-4315) so they can open it and place your key inside.

No. A Fire Department approved lock box will generally be required for STRs. However circumstances may differ - you may call the Fire Department at 802-253-4315 with any questions.

The Town of Stowe uses KnoxBox. When you install your Knoxbox, you will need to set up an appointment with the Fire Department (fire@stowevt.gov or 802-253-4315) so they can open it and place your key inside.

The reason is that when the Fire Department accesses the key for the KnoxBox, they have a record of who used the key to unlock the KnoxBox to protect both the homeowner and Town. The Town does not maintain sets of keys or a record of access codes for private properties.

A KnoxBox prevents the Fire Department from needing to destroy a front door in the case of an emergency.

No. Knoxbox asks for "permit number" in their default form, but you are not required to write anything in that field.

Anyone can order a KnoxBox product for their home or business regardless of whether there is an STR at that property.