Are there rental limits in Northampton?

Definition of 'Short-Term' is less than 28 days, which is stricter than the state's 31-day limit.

What are the permit fees in Northampton?

A 3% Community Impact Fee applies to 'professionally managed' units or STRs in 2-3 family homes.

What should Northampton hosts know about mandatory building inspections for all?

Mandatory building inspections for all STRs are required starting July 1, 2025.

What are the key requirements for Northampton hosts?

Units must be the owner's primary residence; investors cannot operate unhosted STRs in non-primary properties.

Northampton, MA Short-Term Rental Regulations Guide

Summary

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

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 78 (lenient)

Why this classification:

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

In Plain English

To host a short-term rental in Northampton, you must live in the property as your primary residence and register with both the city and the state. Starting July 2025, a mandatory building inspection is required for all units, and you must pay state and local occupancy taxes totaling up to 14.7%.

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

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

•Northampton allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Two-Family Dwelling, Three-Family Dwelling, Condominium.
•Northampton does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements(12)

•Northampton STR warning: Mandatory building inspections for all STRs are required starting July 1, 2025.
•Northampton: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
•Northampton requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Annual Registration". Apply through Building Department. Processing time: 2-4 weeks. Renewal is required.

Application Process(8)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Northampton: Step 1: State Registration - Register your rental unit with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue via MassTaxConnect to obtain a state certificate. Documents needed: Federal Tax ID or SSN, Property Details. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://mtc.dor.state.ma.us/mtc/_/ Step 2: Local Annual Registration - Submit the Short-Term Rental Annual Registration form to the City of Northampton Building Department. Documents needed: State Registration Certificate, Proof of Primary Residence. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.northamptonma.gov/FormCenter/Building-Department-4/ShortTerm-Rental-Annual-Registration-140 Step 3: Schedule Building Inspection - Contact the Building Department to pay the inspection fee and schedule a mandatory safety inspection (required as of July 1, 2025). Documents needed: Safety Self-Certification Checklist. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 100. More info: https://www.northamptonma.gov/2049/Short-Term-Rentals Step 4: Post Certification - Once the inspection is passed, post the Certificate of Inspection in a conspicuous place within the rental unit. Estimated time: Immediate.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Northampton charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).
•Northampton: A 3% Community Impact Fee applies to 'professionally managed' units or STRs in 2-3 family homes.

Taxes(2)

•Massachusetts has a state sales tax of 0.057% that applies to STR rentals.
•Northampton charges a Local Option Room Occupancy Excise of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect and remit the 5.7% state and 6% local taxes.

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•Northampton occupancy calculation: Max 3 rooming units and 6 total renters for Tourist Home/B&B classifications. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Northampton: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Northampton: Definition of 'Short-Term' is less than 28 days, which is stricter than the state's 31-day limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Northampton requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Smoke detectors must be less than 10 years old, Emergency egress lighting, Clear path of egress, Posted evacuation plan.

Penalties(3)

•Northampton: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
•Northampton: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Northampton exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts, Rentals of 14 days or fewer per year (Tax exempt but registration still required).
•Northampton: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Unlock: 4-Step Application Guide

Get step-by-step application guides and access to all 51+ markets.

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.

Northampton

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

Requirements(12)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

Create a free account

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst

Northampton

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 Northampton?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Northampton?

3Are there rental night limits in Northampton?

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

Related Content

Other Massachusetts Markets

Boston

Lenox

Edgartown

Amherst