Do I need a licence to run a homestay in India?

Yes, in almost all states. There is no single national licence, but there are three layers: your state's homestay registration under its tourism policy, a municipal trade licence from your local body, and a fire NOC once rooms or floors cross a threshold. On top sits the voluntary Incredible India classification and a GST question for your chartered accountant.

How many rooms can a homestay have?

It varies by state. Kerala, Karnataka and Goa typically allow 1–6 lettable rooms; Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and West Bengal allow up to 8 rooms under their 2026 policies; Himachal Pradesh distinguishes a 1–3 room home-stay from a 4–9 room premier tier; Tamil Nadu allows 1–3 rooms. Confirm the current cap on your state portal.

Does the owner have to live in a homestay?

In most states, yes — owner or family residence on the premises is what legally distinguishes a homestay from a hotel or a pure rental, and it is often a strict condition of registration. Some states allow a designated caretaker. Check your state's specific rule.

Is a fire NOC required for a homestay?

Above a size threshold (rooms or floors), yes — a fire-safety no-objection certificate from the state fire services is required, and some state schemes make it a mandatory document. Below the threshold it may not be, but confirm with your local fire service and municipal body.

Homestay Licence Finder

What does it take to register a homestay?

There is no single national homestay licence — there are three layers, and a different state policy for each. Pick your state for the registration picture, then follow the layers below. Always confirm the current rules on your state tourism portal.

The compliance stack (applies almost everywhere)

1 · State homestay registration
The core approval under your state's homestay/B&B policy — it sets the room cap, owner-residence rule and fees. Usually mandatory.
2 · Municipal trade licence
Local permission from your municipal corporation or panchayat to run a commercial activity from the premises. Required by most urban bodies.
3 · Fire NOC
A fire-safety no-objection certificate from the state fire services, required once rooms or floors cross a threshold.
+ Incredible India (voluntary)
The Ministry of Tourism's Silver/Gold homestay/B&B classification adds credibility and reach but does not replace state registration.
+ GST (ask your CA)
Small owner-run homestays below the turnover threshold are typically outside GST, but thresholds and platform-booking rules change — confirm with a chartered accountant.

Your state

Choose a state to see its room cap, residence rule, fee and validity.

Why there is no single answer

Tourism is a state subject, so every state writes its own homestay policy — and many rewrote them in 2025 and 2026, raising room caps and moving to single-window online approval. What stays constant is the three-layer stack: your state's homestay registration, a municipal trade licence, and a fire NOC above a size threshold — with the voluntary Incredible India classification and a GST question on top. Treat this finder as an orientation, read the full picture in our registration & licensing guide, and take binding questions to your state tourism department, your municipal body and a chartered accountant.

Registration & Licensing Guide Homestays Guide Hub Homestay ROI Calculator Setup-Cost Estimator

Educational orientation only, not legal advice. Homestay policies are state-specific and change frequently; the authoritative source is always your state tourism department and local authority.

Related Guides — Deep-dive reading

Homestay Registration & Licensing in India: A State-by-State Guide (2026)

There is no single national homestay licence — there are three compliance layers and a different state policy for each. This guide explains the framework, compares the rules across the major homestay states, and points you to the right authority, so you register correctly and let the professionals confirm the binding detail.

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How to Start a Homestay in India: A Complete 2026 Guide

Homestays are India's fastest-growing way to travel — and to earn from a spare room. This guide walks through the whole journey in plain language: deciding if it suits you, the three layers of registration and compliance, setting up the space, listing and pricing, and hosting well — with the legal specifics left to the right professionals.

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Clinical Establishments Act + State Variations: An Architect's Compliance Map for All States

The Centre Act 2010 and the Twelve States with Their Own Statutes — Karnataka, Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Telangana, Kerala, UP, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat — Side-by-Side Schedules of Minimum Areas, Equipment, Penalties, and Architectural Deliverables

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