Amherst, Mass., Gen. Bylaws ch. 3.50 (June 2026) § I

(1) Inspections.

      a. Inspection Required. In accordance with the applicable laws and Regulations adopted
         under this Bylaw and except as provided in Sections I.1.b. and c., Residential Rental
         Property shall have passed an inspection by the Town of its Dwelling Units, common
         areas, exteriors, and yards in accordance with applicable Frequency Schedule in the
         Regulations adopted under this Bylaw before a Permit is issued or renewed to
         confirm that all local, state, and federal laws and regulations are met. The Regulations
         shall set forth the frequency of required inspections, the Number of Units to be

   inspected, and provisions for phasing in this Inspection requirement upon adoption of
   the Bylaw.

b. Properties and Dwelling Units Exempt from Inspections.

   1. Housing Subject to Other Inspections. Where Residential Rental Properties are
      regularly inspected under the requirements of the Commonwealth or federal
      government, upon request of the Owner, the Principal Code Official may waive
      the Inspection under this Bylaw for the Dwelling Units inspected by the
      Commonwealth or federal government. Annual certification by the Owner that a
      Dwelling Unit has been inspected in accordance with the law of the
      Commonwealth or federal law within the past five (5) years, and if requested,
      copies of any inspection documents created by said inspection, shall be provided
      to the Town as part of any Permit application or renewal when seeking a waiver
      of the Inspection requirement.

   2. Occasional Rentals. Dwelling units in Owner-Occupied properties serving as the
      Owner's principal residence, and which contain no more than two (2) units shall
      not require an Inspection if a Residential Rental Permit is obtained in response to
      regular or periodic interruptions in residency by the Owner­Occupant, where such
      interruptions are the result of illness, catastrophe, professional or academic
      scheduling, or other temporary reasons for absence which do not affect basic
      indicia of residency. An Owner may not renew a Residential Rental Permit that
      was originally obtained without an inspection under this Section, until the
      Residential Rental Property has been Inspected pursuant to Section I of this
      Bylaw.

   3. Dwelling Units in Residential Rental Properties that have been issued a certificate
      of occupancy within five (5) years of the submission of the application for a
      Rental Permit. Proof of exemption under this Section shall be submitted with the
      Rental Permit Application.

   4. Owner-Occupied Residential Rental Properties. Any inspection of an Owner-
      Occupied Residential Rental Property shall not include inspection of the Owner's
      Dwelling Unit.

c. The Principal Code Official may seek an administrative warrant from a court of
   competent jurisdiction whenever the Owner, Person-in-Charge, or Occupant fails to
   allow inspections of any premises believed to be subject to this Bylaw and where
   there is reasonable cause to believe that there is a violation of this Bylaw.

(2) Occupancy Limits. All Residential Rental Property shall comply with the occupancy
       limits for the Residential Rental Property, as specified in the Zoning Bylaw.

   (3) Law and Regulation Compliance. All Residential Rental Property regulated herein
       shall comply with all applicable local bylaws and regulations, as well as all state laws
       and health, building, and fire codes.

   (4) Property Management Plan in compliance with the Regulations adopted under this
       Bylaw. Any provision of this Section may be waived or modified by the Principal Code
       Official for compelling reasons.

   (5) Parking Site Plan in compliance with the Regulations adopted under this Bylaw. Any
       provision of this Section may be waived or modified by the Principal Code Official for
       compelling reasons of safety or design.