Bed and Breakfast Registration & License | B&B License India

Bed and Breakfast Registration & License Overview

A Bed and Breakfast Registration & License in India is required to legally run a B&B or homestay. This approval is issued by the State Tourism Department and local government authorities to make sure your property follows safety rules, local laws, and tax requirements. Without proper registration, operating a B&B can lead to fines or legal trouble.

Starting a B&B in India can be exciting, but the paperwork can feel confusing, especially since rules differ from state to state. Getting the B&B license India right helps you operate smoothly and welcome guests with confidence.

ComplifyXpert makes the Bed and Breakfast registration process simple and stress-free. Our team guides you through every step, from understanding state-specific requirements to preparing and submitting the necessary documents. With ComplifyXpert, you can be confident that your B&B is fully compliant and ready to welcome guests legally.

What is Bed & Breakfast Registration?

A homestay registration ensures a property meets safety and hygiene standards before accepting paying guests.

Bed & Breakfast registration in India generally refers to formally listing your property with the tourism authority (central or state). You register as a small lodging establishment that offers accommodation and breakfast.

The Ministry of Tourism’s “Incredible India” scheme offers guidelines to classify options. It mentions homestays and B&Bs, sets room limits, and provides a registration/classification route so guests can find approved, safer options.

Registration typically results in a certificate and classification (e.g., Silver/Gold) and often feeds into state/country-wide directories.

Why Register for Bed & Breakfast in India?

Legitimacy & Trust: Registered properties are more visible to travellers (listed on official directories and promoted by tourism departments) and appear more trustworthy to guests and booking platforms.

Access to Support & Schemes: Many states offer training, marketing support, or incentives (subsidies, ease of accessing government tourism schemes) only to registered units.

Legal Safety: Registering helps you comply with police, fire, and food regulations, reducing the risk of penalties or forced closures from local authorities.

You must register because a B&B tourism approval is crucial for promoting your accommodation on official travel portals and attracting tourists.

Types of Accommodation in B&B

A guest house license is mandatory for running a commercial lodging facility under local municipal regulations, so here are the types of accommodations you can choose to offer:

Homestay (owner-occupied): Owner and family live on the premises and host guests. Ministries/state guidelines typically cap rooms (commonly up to 3–6 lettable rooms depending on the scheme) and require family presence.

Bed & Breakfast (B&B) (operator/agent runs premises): The owner may not live on site; instead, a caretaker/agent manages day-to-day operations. Similar room limits apply (often 1–6 lettable rooms). Classification rules in central/state guidelines explain the operational differences.

Guesthouses or Farmstays or Farmhouses: Rules overlap but can be different in classification criteria, licensing, and safety expectations. Always check the specific scheme your state publishes.

Eligibility Requirements for Bed & Breakfast Registration

A place to stay gets its accommodation license approved when it meets basic rules for cleanliness, security, or comfort.

Eligibility and who can join depend on the plan and where you are, yet most have similar basics:

Owner or Authorization: You need to own the place or get clear approval from the owner to operate a B&B or homestay.

Some states permit only legal property owners to apply.

Room Limits: Typical limits are 1 to 6 lettable rooms (12 beds maximum is a common cap in central guidelines), but states may set different thresholds.

Local Compliance: No pending legal violations on the property, compliance with building bylaws, and clearance from local authorities if required.

Do You Need Multiple Licenses for Bed & Breakfast

Yes. Running a B&B usually requires multiple approvals from more than one authority easily. The exact list changes according to the state and by what services you deliver (for example, presenting breakfast or full meals).

B&B modification may require work on renewing or updating the currently existing license papers to accommodate structural or service alterations.

Typical licenses/approvals include:

• Tourism registration/classification (state tourism department/Ministry of Tourism scheme).
• Police/local authority NOC or registration (many states require a police no-objection certificate or at least the submission of guest registers, especially if foreign guests stay).
• Fire safety clearance (where applicable, small B&Bs are often expected to meet minimum fire safety provisions under national/state codes).
• Food safety / FSSAI registration if you prepare/serve food to guests beyond simple breakfast, or if your turnover places you in the FSSAI licensing bracket.
• A shop license may be needed when operating a reception or retail point alongside accommodation facilities.
• GST registration may be needed if your annual turnover from accommodation exceeds the threshold (commonly ₹20 lakh for most states, check current thresholds and special state rules).
• Municipal/building permission or society approval, local municipal bylaws, and apartment/housing society rules may restrict commercial use of residential premises. So you may need permission or conversion of property use in some areas.

Because these come from different agencies, plan for a few different applications rather than one single form.

Documents Required for Bed and Breakfast Registration

Documentation varies from one state to another but typically includes the following.

• Proof of identity & address of the owner/operator (Aadhaar, PAN, passport).
• Property documents (title deed, rent agreement, NOC from owner if operator is not the owner).
• Floor plan and photographs of the property (rooms, common areas, entrance, bathrooms).
• Safety certificates or declarations (fire extinguisher receipts, electrical safety tests, etc.), depending on local requirements.
• Food license (FSSAI registration/license) if you will prepare and serve food to guests as part of your services.
• GST registration is mandatory for collecting and remitting tax on the revenue generated by your hospitality business.
• Guest register format/undertaking (many tourism guidelines require you to maintain a register). They also want you to note down immigration-related reporting if foreign guests stay.

Always download the specific application form/checklist from your state tourism portal. States often publish checklists and application formats (Tamil Nadu, Goa, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and many others maintain online portals).

It’s worth noting that a license renewal is necessary periodically to maintain legal status and avoid penalties for the hospitality business. 

Step-by-Step Process for Bed and Breakfast Registration

STEP-1. Read Central & State Guidelines: Start with the Ministry of Tourism “Incredible India Bed & Breakfast / Homestay” guidelines for national classification, then check your state tourism website for local rules and online portals.

STEP-2. Prepare Property & Documents: Make any small upgrades (fire extinguisher, guest register, signage), and collate identity & property papers, photographs, and floor plans.

STEP-3. Apply Online or Offline To State Tourism: Most states have an online application (Goa, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and others). Fill out the forms, upload documents, and pay the application fee (fees vary by state and category).

STEP-4. Inspection & Verification: A regional classification/inspection committee typically inspects the premises against a checklist and may propose a classification (Silver/Gold or equivalent).

STEP-5. Receive Registration/Certificate: After verification, you get a registration/certificate and, if applicable, a classification badge that you can use in listings and promotional material.

STEP-6. Keep Up With Rules After Signing Up: Use guest logs, update permits before they expire, and tell officials about big changes. A few places need checks or category updates now and then.

A fire safety certificate shows that your place follows rules to stop fires. It’s key to confirming that protection steps are in place.

Starting off right means no fines plus happy visitors staying at your place. ComplifyXpert gets your papers ready while dealing with officials, so you don't have to. Get in touch today and talk to ComplifyXpert first, then grab that B&B permit without stress.

Tourism Approval & Central Schemes

The Government of India’s Ministry of Tourism provides national guidelines and an approval/classification mechanism under the “Incredible India” B&B/homestay scheme.

Getting this national classification is voluntary in some states and mandatory in others, but it’s widely accepted as a quality benchmark.

The Ministry’s scheme also encourages local training and a directory for approved units. Always cross-check whether your state accepts the central classification or runs its own parallel scheme (many states do both).

An FSSAI license is required if your B&B involves preparing and serving food to guests.

Fire Safety: What’s Required for a Bed and Breakfast License?

Registration is essential for a tourism department approval, and this often includes verification of a fire safety certificate and police verification documents.

Fire safety is non-negotiable. Minimum expectations for small B&Bs/homestays typically include:

• Portable fire extinguishers in accessible locations (kitchen, corridors).
• Clear escape routes, signage, and basic evacuation plans.
• Compliance with local fire department inspections where state or municipal rules require it; some districts mandate a formal fire safety certificate even for small guesthouses.
• The MoHUA/National Building Code (NBC) provides fire protection recommendations; state fire services translate that into local compliance checks for lodging units.

If your building is multi-storeyed or above certain area thresholds, more stringent standards will apply. Always confirm with your local fire department early in the process.

Modification & Expansion of Bed and Breakfast License

If you modify the property (add rooms, change access, or change from owner-occupied to agent-run), you must notify the tourism authority and often apply for reclassification or modification of your registration.

Many guidelines specify that reclassification/reapplication should be made before the expiry of the current certificate (e.g., apply 3 months before expiry).

Keep clean notes on updates like fresh layouts or security fixes and hand them to the inspector. Get a health trade license through the town offices so you meet cleanliness and safe cooking rules.

Renewal Process of Bed & Breakfast License

License/registration validity and renewal intervals differ by state. Some central/state certificates run for a fixed period (a few years) and require reapplication or re-inspection on expiry.

Your state’s registration page will give exact validity and renewal steps. Set calendar reminders well before expiry so you aren’t penalised. A municipal approval proves your property is correctly zoned and has authorization for commercial hospitality plans and moves.

Tax Implications for Bed & Breakfast

B&B owners have to pay property tax now and then because rules from the city say so for places rented out for business lodging.

Income Tax: Money made from running a B&B or renting out part of your home counts as income for tax purposes.

Track every bit of cash coming in, along with allowable costs like maintenance, portioned utility bills, wear-and-tear write-offs, and similar expenses. Report what you earned under the right category while submitting your taxes.

GST: If your annual turnover from accommodation is well above the GST threshold, which is usually ₹20 lakh for most states, smaller thresholds can easily apply in special category states.

In this case, a GST registration becomes mandatory. Your team must now collect and remit GST on accommodation services.

Platforms like the famous Airbnb also give guidance and support on GST collection and slabs based on nightly tariff amounts. (e.g., slab differences around ₹7,500 per night). Check current thresholds and rates before listing.

Local taxes & charges: Municipal property taxes, conversion charges (if you convert residential to commercial use), or other local levies may apply. Consult your municipal corporation.

Pro Tip: Small operators often register as proprietorship/sole proprietor and maintain separate bookkeeping for the B&B for tax clarity.

A police verification is part of the background check for owners and staff working in rental accommodation services.

Benefits of Registering for Bed and Breakfast License

Market visibility through official tourism listings and marketing campaigns.

Access to training, subsidies, and policy benefits offered by state tourism departments (many states now include B&Bs in tourism policy incentives).

Guest confidence & higher occupancy: registered, classified properties often get better listings and can charge premium rates over unregistered units.

A hospitality licensing helps standardize services and protects guest interests in bed and breakfast establishments.

State-Wise Requirements for Bed and Breakfast License

Tamil Nadu: TN’s new move brings clear rules plus a must-do sign-up step for guest houses and home stays, split into Silver or Gold levels. The office behind it drops ready-to-use forms along with handy lists you can follow. Each rule bit ties together without fluff, keeping things sharp yet simple to grasp.

Goa: Goa runs a web page where guest homes sign up. It contains the info needed, plus the steps are laid out in front.

Uttar Pradesh (2026 policy examples): Recent state tourism policies have explicitly liberalised homestay/B&B registration in tourist areas, set CCTV/safety requirements, and provided graded registration categories and incentives. (State policies can change—always check the latest state PDF/portal.)

Kerala: Operational recommendations and safety/food service guidelines for homestays and B&Bs were published by the state tourism department, which often emphasize hygiene and training.

Because state rules change and states publish their own checklists and fees, always read your state’s tourism portal for the most authoritative, local instructions.

Normal hospitality business regulations cover multiple licenses and clearances, like B&B registration, fire safety, and a health trade license.

Why Choose ComplifyXpert for Bed and Breakfast Registration?

ComplifyXpert makes registering your B&B in India simple and stress-free. We guide you at every step, handle the paperwork, and make sure your property meets all legal requirements so you can focus on welcoming guests.

Clear Guidance on Rules and Regulations: Every state has its own rules for B&Bs. We help you understand the local tourism, safety, zoning, and tax regulations, so you don’t miss any requirements.

Complete Document Support: From preparing forms to submitting them to the regional authorities, we make sure every document is correct and complete to avoid delays or rejections.

Compliance Advice for Safety and Operations: We provide practical advice on safety measures, food standards, and other operational requirements so your B&B is fully compliant and ready to host guests confidently.

Fast and Hassle-Free Process: We streamline the registration process, helping you avoid unnecessary delays or complications, so your B&B can start operating legally as soon as possible.

End-to-End Support: From your first query to receiving the official license, we stay with you throughout the process, offering guidance and support at every step.

Register Your Bed & Breakfast Today - Get Complete Licensing Support

Starting a B&B in India involves handling tourist norms, fire codes, health checks, tax duties, and much more. ComplifyXpert guides you step by step from paperwork to green light, so things stay clear and hassle-free. Reach out now as our team takes care of permits while you work on stunning B&B stays guests won’t forget.