What are the key requirements for Springfield hosts?

No LLCs or corporations - the operator must be a 'natural person'.

What are the key requirements for Springfield hosts?

9-month primary residency requirement effectively bans dedicated 'investment' STRs.

What are the key requirements for Springfield hosts?

Mandatory $1 million liability insurance requirement per state law.

What are the key requirements for Springfield hosts?

Requirement to post a laminated egress plan in every single bedroom.

What should Springfield hosts know about a 2.75% additional tax applies?

A 2.75% additional tax applies specifically to Springfield for convention center funding.

Springfield

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

MassachusettsLast updated: February 12, 2026

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 12, 2026

Summary

Springfield requires short-term rentals to be owner-occupied or owner-adjacent, registered with the city, and restricted to natural persons.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Moderate night cap: 95 nights/year
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Safety standards required

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Springfield, you must live in the property as your primary residence for at least 9 months a year or own a 2-3 family home where you live in one of the units. You must register with the City's Code Enforcement Department, pass a safety inspection, and pay local and state lodging taxes. Commercial operators and LLCs are prohibited from operating short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

95/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$115

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•Springfield: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Springfield prohibits STRs in the following property types: Below-market-rate units, Income-restricted housing, Units with outstanding code violations.
•Springfield: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(15)

•Springfield: Requirement to post a laminated egress plan in every single bedroom.
•Springfield: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
•Springfield: Hosts must report their rental activity per-booking to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.

Application Process(9)

•Springfield STR permit - Step 3: Submit STR Permit Application. Apply through the Code Enforcement Department. This includes submitting a parking plan and proof of primary residence. Required documents: Insurance certificate, Parking plan, Floor plan, Utility bill. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 115.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Springfield: Mandatory $1 million liability insurance requirement per state law.
•Springfield charges a registration fee of $115 (annual).

Taxes(3)

•Springfield charges a Local Option Room Occupancy Tax of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit state and local taxes; however, operators must still register with MassTaxConnect.
•Springfield: A 2.75% additional tax applies specifically to Springfield for convention center funding.

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•Springfield occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom, maximum 4 bedrooms. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Springfield limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
•Springfield enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
•Springfield limits STRs to a maximum of 8 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom, maximum 4 bedrooms

Safety Requirements(1)

•Springfield requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Laminated egress plan posted in each bedroom, Local noise and trash disposal instructions posted, Two means of egress required for any rooming unit.

Penalties(2)

•Springfield: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Springfield enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $300 fine. Second offense: $300 fine. Third offense: $300 fine. Daily fine: $300 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(3)

•Springfield: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.
•Springfield exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Lodging Houses with existing licenses.

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Massachusetts

Strict

Boston enforces some of the strictest short-term rental laws in the US, mandating that all units must be the host's primary residence. Investor-owned secondary units are strictly prohibited, and all hosts must register annually with the Inspectional Services Department.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Lenox

Massachusetts

Moderate

Short-term rentals are regulated in Lenox under a bylaw passed in 2022, requiring annual registration with the Board of Health and a $100 fee. All units must undergo a safety inspection and hosts must collect a 6% local room occupancy tax in addition to state taxes.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Edgartown

Massachusetts

Moderate

Edgartown does not currently have a local municipal STR permit system, as recent attempts to pass a licensing bylaw have failed. However, hosts must comply with the Massachusetts State Registry (MassTaxConnect) and pay a combined total tax rate of 14.45%.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Amherst

Massachusetts

Moderate

Amherst requires all short-term rentals to obtain a Residential Rental Permit, comply with strict occupancy limits, and prohibits STRs in accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Springfield

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

Requirements(15)

Application Process(9)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(3)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst

Springfield

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Springfield?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Springfield?

3Are there rental night limits in Springfield?

4What are the residency requirements for Springfield hosts?

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Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst