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DILG lists homestays among accommodation businesses, which are primary tourism enterprises, so DOT accreditation applies and the health office issues a sanitary permit before you take guests. Apply to DOT first at accreditation.tourism.gov.ph. There is no processing fee: DOT says the MC 2022-001 waiver stays in effect indefinitely. DILG tells LGUs to issue a permit to operate only after DOT accreditation.[1,2,4,5,6]
Do these in order: DOT, then the mayor's permit
Under RA 9593, accommodation establishments are primary tourism enterprises, which must periodically obtain DOT accreditation, while secondary enterprises may choose to. You file online through the DOT Online Accreditation System at accreditation.tourism.gov.ph.[2,3,5]
DILG has told LGUs to issue a permit to operate to primary tourism enterprises only after DOT accreditation, citing the RA 9593 rules and DILG MC 2019-17. Bring the DOT certificate to the mayor's permit window.[1]
PD 856 Sec. 63 covers hotels, apartments, lodging houses and condominiums among places that need a sanitary permit before opening to the public. The fee is set by your city or municipal ordinance.[6]
How much DOT accreditation costs
DOT says the processing fee waiver introduced under Memorandum Circular 2022-001 remains in effect indefinitely, so accreditation has no processing fee.[4]
RA 9593 covers accommodation establishments in general. If you rent out a single condo unit, ask the DOT regional office how it classifies your listing when you apply.[2]
Renting out a condo unit
Condominium corporations have their own house rules on short-term stays. These private rules sit on top of the government permits, not in place of them. Get the admin's written OK before you list, since a building ban can end the business even with every permit in hand.
Before you list your unit
- Get written permission from the condo admin or homeowners' association.
- Create your account at accreditation.tourism.gov.ph.
- Gather proof of ownership or your lease, IDs and photos of the unit.
- Schedule the health office inspection for your sanitary permit.
- Bring your DOT accreditation when you apply for the mayor's permit.
- Write house rules for guests on noise, visitors and check-out.
- Note the DOT accreditation expiry date so you can renew on time.
Questions people ask
- Is DOT accreditation optional for Airbnb hosts?
- RA 9593 makes DOT accreditation mandatory for primary tourism enterprises, and DILG lists homestays as accommodation in that group. Secondary enterprises are the ones for whom it is voluntary.
- How much is DOT accreditation?
- There is no processing fee. DOT says the waiver introduced under MC 2022-001 remains in effect indefinitely.
- Do I need a sanitary permit for one condo unit?
- PD 856 Sec. 63 covers apartments, lodging houses and condominiums among places needing a sanitary permit before opening to the public. The fee is set by your LGU.
- Can the city give my permit before DOT accreditation?
- DILG has told LGUs to issue the permit to operate only after DOT accreditation. Apply to DOT first.
Sources
Checked 13 November 2026. We link the agency's own page for every requirement. Rules change; confirm with the office before you pay.
- DILG to LGUs: Issue permit to operate to tourism enterprises with DOT accreditation only · DILG Region IV-A · 15 January 2024
- Republic Act No. 9593 (The Tourism Act of 2009) · Congress of the Philippines (via Lawphil) · 12 May 2009
- Free accreditation for tourism businesses extended — DOT · Inquirer.net · 23 February 2023
- CV tourism accreditations rise 25% on fee waiver · The Freeman (Philstar) · 16 October 2026
- DOT 7 waives fees to ease tourism firms' costs · SunStar Cebu · 27 October 2026
- Presidential Decree No. 856 (Code on Sanitation of the Philippines) · Office of the President (via Lawphil) · 23 December 1975
The extra permits, in one table
| Permit or registration | Agency | When it applies | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOT accreditation[2] | DOT | always | waived under MC 2022-001 (see the fee waiver row) |
| Apply through DOT Online Accreditation System[3] | DOT | always | waived under DOT MC 2022-001 |
| Definition: travel and tour services and accommodation establishments are primary tourism enterprises[2] | DOT | travel agencies, tour operators, resorts, accommodation | no fee (definition in the law) |
| DOT accreditation processing fee waived[4] | DOT | all tourism enterprises applying for DOT accreditation | waived (no processing fee) |
| Apply online at the DOT accreditation portal[5] | DOT | always | waived (no processing fee) |
| DOT accreditation is mandatory for hotels, resorts, travel agencies…[4] | DOT | hotels, resorts, travel agencies, land and water tourist transport operators | waived (no processing fee) |
| Sanitary permit for hotel/lodging/boarding/apartment establishment[6] | DOH / local health office (PD 856) | always | assessed by the city or town (no national amount) |
Rules and exemptions
Selling rules that apply
- Mayor's permit to operate issued only after DOT accreditation[1]