What should Lowell hosts know about short-term rentals are explicitly prohibited?

Short-term rentals are explicitly prohibited in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

What should Lowell hosts know about primary residence is strictly required;?

Primary residence is strictly required; you cannot operate a dedicated investment property as an STR in Lowell.

What are the key requirements for Lowell hosts?

A local placard containing the Property Manager's contact information must be posted at the property in at least 48 pt. font.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Lowell?

The city has historically treated STRs as illegal in certain zones due to zoning ambiguity, so check specific parcel zoning before applying.

Lowell, MA Short-Term Rental Regulations & Requirements

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 10, 2026

Summary

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.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 88 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap

In Plain English

To host a short-term rental in Lowell, you must live in the property as your primary home. You are required to register with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and obtain a local rental permit from the city, which involves an inspection to ensure the property meets fire and building safety codes.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$100

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Short-term rentals are explicitly prohibited in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).
2.Primary residence is strictly required; you cannot operate a dedicated investment property as an STR in Lowell.
3.A local placard containing the Property Manager's contact information must be posted at the property in at least 48 pt. font.
4.The city has historically treated STRs as illegal in certain zones due to zoning ambiguity, so check specific parcel zoning before applying.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(11)

•Lowell: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Lowell: Primary residence is strictly required; you cannot operate a dedicated investment property as an STR in Lowell.
•Lowell limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
•Lowell: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(11)

•Lowell STR warning: A local placard containing the Property Manager's contact information must be posted at the property in at least 48 pt. font.
•Lowell STR warning: Short-term rentals are explicitly prohibited in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

Application Process(7)

•Lowell STR permit - Step 2: Apply for Lowell Rental Unit Permit. Submit a Rental Unit Inspection Application to the Lowell Division of Development Services. Required documents: State Registration Certificate, Proof of Insurance, Emergency Contact Info. Time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 100.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Lowell charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Massachusetts has a state sales tax of 0.057% that applies to STR rentals.
•Lowell charges a Local Room Occupancy Excise of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms like Airbnb and VRBO typically collect and remit both state and local taxes in Massachusetts.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Lowell enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
•Lowell: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Lowell limits stays to a maximum of 28 nights.
•Lowell occupancy calculation: Limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed local occupancy limits.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Lowell requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Certificate of Inspection from Building Code inspector, Compliance with Massachusetts Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.

Penalties(3)

•Lowell enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 fine. Second offense: $200 fine. Third offense: $300 fine. Daily fine: $300 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Lowell: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Lowell: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Lowell exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Stays under 14 days per year (exempt from state tax only, local registration may still apply).

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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

Lowell

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(11)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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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

Lowell

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 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 Lowell?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Lowell?

3Are there residency requirements for Lowell hosts?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Lowell?

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Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst