Boarding FAQs

Boarding is:

• Renting a bedroom or suite of rooms to a tenant who stays for at least 31 days
• You may have up to two guest bedrooms or suites
• There is a central kitchen and no cooking facilities are located in bedrooms or suites
• A roommate is a boarder

See Section XVIII 1 (B) of Princeton’s zoning by-laws.

You will need a special permit from the Planning Board: special permit application

Yes. There is a special permit fee and also a fee to cover the expense of the required public hearing. See the Planning Board fee schedule.

Helpful hint: Boarders, short-term rentals, and Bed-and-breakfasts all require a special permit. If you have any thoughts of doing more than one activity (for example bed-and-breakfast plus short-term rentals) you can request that the public hearing for the two permits be combined, thus saving you half the cost of advertising.

Start with the Planning Board:

• They will have to sign off on your special permit
• They can answer many of your questions
• They can help you navigate the process and provide friendly advice
• You can contact the Board’s chair and ask for time at a meeting or simply show up at a meeting (in person or online) and ask your questions during the time slot set aside for that