Humacao

Town license

Anyone who runs short-term rentals in Humacao needs a license from the town's permit office.[1] It lasts one year and is renewed every year.[1] The license does not excuse you from other laws, such as public order and waste rules.[1]

Who can apply

You can apply as the owner, legal possessor or administrator of the property.[1] If you aren't the registered owner, you must prove your right to apply or bring the owner's express authorization.[1] Public housing and properties in state or federal subsidy programs don't qualify.[1]

Application papers

Show your Tourism Company registration, plus a Hacienda merchant registration certificate and a Permiso Único from the town when they apply.[1] Give the property's cadastral number, a sworn statement that no restrictive covenant, master deed or local rule bars the rental, and a CRIM no-debt certificate or a current payment plan.[1] Also show proof of the municipal business tax (patente) when it applies, and name the platforms you will use.[1]

Shared and non-shared units

A shared unit is the primary residence of the host, or of a tenant on a lease of more than 90 days, with part of it rented while that person is there.[1] A non-shared unit is one where the host doesn't live and that isn't anyone's primary residence, with an administrator or intermediary available to handle guests.[1] A shared unit that stops being a primary residence for more than 90 days becomes non-shared.[1]

Fees and renewal

Fees are non-refundable and yearly: $100 per shared unit, $500 per non-shared unit and $500 per movable unit such as a boat or trailer.[1] Renewal needs the same papers as a first license, and anyone who was fined must show the fine is paid and the problem fixed.[1]

Events and neighborhood

No commercial events or activities are allowed on the property.[1] Social events can't disturb the area, and you can't change the residential character of the area or the property.[1]

Listing and sign

Put the license number in every platform ad for the rental.[1] The license data, including the maximum number of guests and rooms and your contact details, must be on a sign inside the property that the town can inspect.[1]

Guest records and data

Keep a record of the dates the property was occupied and give it to the town when asked.[1] The town may sign agreements with platforms to get host names, property addresses and rental income each month.[1]

Guest fines

Fines for noise, cleanliness and safety breaches outside the ordinance go to the guest first.[1] If the guest neither pays nor asks for a hearing within 30 days, the host or operator must pay within the next 15 days.[1]

Condo and HOA rules

The ordinance does not authorize a rental that a condo's master deed or bylaws expressly prohibit.[1] It also doesn't authorize one that a community association bans, and associations may set rules that are equal or stricter, but not looser.[1]

Room tax

Short-term rentals of under 90 days pay a 7% room tax.[2, 3] Register as an innkeeper with the Tourism Company to get your innkeeper ID number.[2]

Monthly filing

File a monthly tax declaration by the 10th of the following month.[2] You can submit it online, at a Scotiabank Puerto Rico branch, at the Tax Division office in Old San Juan or by mail.[2]

Booking platforms

The Act says intermediaries must collect, withhold and remit the tax to the Tourism Office.[3] The Tourism Company page doesn't mention platforms, so ask the Room Tax division whether you still file when a platform collects.[2]

Town and property papers

The town license asks for a CRIM no-debt certificate, a Hacienda merchant registration certificate when applicable and proof of the municipal business tax (patente) when applicable.[1] We did not find a Hacienda page on short-term rentals, so we can't say whether other taxes apply.

Rule violations

The fine is $500 for a first violation of the ordinance.[1] A second is $1,000 and can bring license revocation and a one-year ban on applying, and a third is $2,500 and can bring revocation and a three-year ban.[1]

Running without a license

A non-shared unit without the license faces a $500 fine, then $1,000 and a one-year wait to apply.[1] A shared unit faces $250, then $500 and a one-year wait.[1]

Discount and hearing

Pay a first-violation fine within 30 days for a 50% discount.[1] Paying with the discount gives up the hearing, and otherwise you can ask the town for an administrative hearing within 30 days of the ticket.[1]

Who enforces and when

Municipal police, state police, permit inspectors and other designated staff can inspect and issue tickets, and the permit and finance offices monitor platform ads.[1] The ordinance gave hosts a 180-day transition from its April 2026 approval to comply, and once it ends anyone not in compliance faces penalties.[1]

State penalties

Separately, the Tourism Company says room tax violators could face fines of $500 for each day of infraction, up to a maximum of $25,000.[2]