Massachusetts Short-Term Rental Regulations by City

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.

The Town of Stockbridge requires all short-term rentals to register annually and pass a safety inspection by the building department. The town allows both owner-occupied and secondary residences to operate as STRs, provided they meet the occupancy limits of two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests.

Somerville allows short-term rentals only in the host's primary residence, requiring a mandatory certificate of registration and limiting unhosted rentals to 90 days per year.

Short-term rentals in Newton are restricted to an operator's primary residence, requiring both state and local registration, fire safety inspections, and a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance.

Northampton requires annual registration for short-term rentals and mandates that units be the host's primary residence.

Short-term rentals in Cambridge are permitted only for owner-occupied primary residences and require registration and inspection by the Inspectional Services Department.

Nantucket strictly regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 123 of the Town Code, requiring annual registration and compliance with safety standards. Following a 2024 Special Town Meeting, the town confirmed STRs as an allowed use while implementing a total tax rate of 14.45% (including the Cape & Islands Water Protection Fund surcharge).

Lowell requires short-term rentals to be the operator's primary residence, register with both the state and the city's Division of Development Services, and pass safety inspections.

Quincy requires all short-term rentals to be registered annually, restricted to owner-occupied primary residences, and prohibited in Residence A zoning districts.

Worcester requires all short-term rentals to be registered annually, restricted to operator-occupied properties, and compliant with safety inspections.

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).

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.

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%.

The Town of Great Barrington requires all short-term rental operators to register annually and pay a $200 fee. Regulations differentiate between primary residents and non-primary residents, with limits on the total number of STR properties an individual may own.

Tisbury requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain an annual certificate from the town and a registration number from the state. Stays are limited to occupancy based on bedroom count (2 per bedroom + 2), and a 6% local tax applies in addition to the state excise tax.

Provincetown requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain both a state registration and a local town certificate. The town charges a significant annual fee of $750 and enforces strict occupancy and safety standards under General Bylaw Article 6.

Short-term rentals in the Town of Barnstable are strictly regulated and require an annual certificate from the Health Division. Hosts must also pay a total tax rate of 14.45%, which includes the state excise tax, local option tax, and the Cape Cod water protection fee.

Waltham does not require a local short-term rental permit, but operators must register with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and remit occupancy taxes.