Newport
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Transient Guest Facility (Short-Term Rental)?
Transient Guest Facility is a building or facility that provides transient lodging accommodations to guests or visitors for occupancy for less than thirty (30) days, which may include, but not be limited to, residences, guest houses, hotels, motels, rooming or lodging houses, inns, bed and breakfast, houseboats, and the like, by way of renting rooms, dwelling units, residential homes, condominium units, boats or vessels.
Who needs to apply for a Transient Guest Facility Certificate?
Any property engaging in short term rentals (with a rental duration of less than 30 days) must register as a Transient Guest Facility.
What if I do not obtain a Transient Guest Facility Certificate?
Renting or advertising your home for rent on a short-term basis without a license is in violation of the City of Newport’s ordinances and is subject to enforcement processes as provided for in City of Newport Code of Ordinances - 5.40.020 Registration of Hotels and Guest Houses.
Do I also need to register my rental property with the State of Rhode Island?
Yes, Owner-occupied short-term rentals of rooms or shared spaces within the same owner-occupied unit require one registration.
Example – owner occupied single-family house renting individual rooms on separate listings – one registration is required.
Rentals of entire spaces require one registration per unit.
Example - Three-family house with three apartments being advertised for short-term rental – each apartment in the building needs its own registration.
To register with the State, please use the following link:
Short-Term Rentals | Dept. of Business Regulation (ri.gov)
What is the cost to register a Transient Guest Facility?
There is a $15 filing fee. Upon approval of the application, there is an annual fee of $500 for Home-Occupation and $1000 for Non-Home Occupation.
Does my Transient Guest Facility Certificate apply to multiple properties?
No. You are only permitted to short-term rent one dwelling unit per Transient Guest Facility Certificate.
Do I have to display my Certificate?
Yes. The Certificate of Transient Guest Facility must be posted as close as possible to the main entrance of the rental property at all times. Your Certificate PDF can be printed from the Business Center by clicking your account name under "Manage Your Account(s)".
Can I pay by credit card?
Yes! We are able to accept all major credit cards. The City of Newport charges a 3% convenience fee when paying by credit card.
Can I pay by e-check?
Yes! You can select e-check during checkout. In doing so, you authorize your bank to send the payment electronically to the City of Newport. The City of Newport charges a $1.00 per transaction convenience fee when paying by e-check.
I need to close my account. What do I do?
Please email the City of Newport at str@cityofnewport.com. Please include the closure date and the reason you are closing the account.
What types of assistance can GovOS provide to me?
GovOS can assist you with all your system and account questions. Whether you have a question about your account or technical questions about how to do something in GovOS, please reach out to our support team. We can always reach out to the City on your behalf if we need their assistance with one of your questions. You can reach GovOS at blt.str.support@govos.com and by phone at (888) 751-1911.
Can I manage multiple properties with one login?
Yes - to do so, click Add accounts from your user login under Manage Your Account(s). You will need your 6-digit Account Number and the GovOS Activation Code to connect to an existing property record.
Can a property have more than one user?
Yes, each property can have an unlimited number of users. Each user is required to provide the 6-digit Account Number and the GovOS Activation code to be authorized to connect to an existing property record.
I did not receive or I misplaced the letter with my activation code. What do I do?
Contact GovOS blt.str.support@govos.com or by phone at (888) 751-1911 for assistance. You will need to confirm account details to be verified for the account. To protect the security on property accounts, you will need written (e-mail) permission from a registered owner or officer of the property for us to provide you with a new activation code.
What payment types are accepted by the City through GovOS?
The City accepts ACH Debit, or e-check as well as all major credit cards.
Can I schedule a payment in GovOS?
For your security, GovOS does not store any payment information in the system. You will need to enter your desired payment information each time you check out.
How do I change the User on a Property?
All users need to register, just as you did, by going to the home page for that jurisdiction (i.e. https://newportri.munirevs.com/). They will click on the "Go" button under "New Users". They will also need the 6-digit account number and Activation Code for the property.
I forgot my password. What do I do?
From the Log In page, click the “Forgot your password” link and follow the instructions that will be e-mailed to the User’s registered e-mail address.
Do I have to login to GovOS to see my alerts and reminders?
No. All alerts are e-mailed to your authenticated e-mail address. When you login to the system, you will also see any open alerts that need to be addressed in your Action Center.
For Assistance, Contact GovOS Support
blt.str.support@govos.com
(888) 751-1911
When contacting support, be sure to include the jurisdiction (Newport, RI) and your account number in all emails or voicemails. This will help us assist you as promptly as possible. Thanks!
