Barnstable, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 170 § 170-4
Certificate of registration (Barnstable Rental Properties)
Operative Text
A. No person shall rent or lease, or offer to rent or lease, any dwelling or any portion of a dwelling to be used for human habitation without first registering with the Board of Health, which shall determine the number of bedrooms and the number of persons such dwelling or portion of a dwelling may lawfully accommodate under the provisions of any state or local health and safety ordinance or regulation. B. The Board of Health shall, pursuant to the above subsection, issue a certificate of registration which shall be renewed on the following December 31, provided that the certificate may be renewed each year.
Under Barnstable, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 170 § 170-4, no dwelling or portion of a dwelling may be rented or offered for rent for human habitation unless the owner has first registered it with the Board of Health. The Board of Health determines the lawful occupancy limits — including the number of bedrooms and the number of persons permitted — based on applicable state and local health and safety standards. Once registered, the Board issues a certificate of registration that must be renewed each year by December 31.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Barnstable, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 170 § 170-4 requires property owners to register every rental dwelling unit with the Board of Health before placing it on the rental market or accepting any tenant. Compliant operators obtain a certificate of registration that reflects the Board-determined bedroom count and maximum occupancy, and they track the December 31 annual renewal deadline to keep that certificate current. Advertising or leasing a unit without a valid, current certificate of registration is a violation of this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 170 § 170-4 of the Barnstable Code of Bylaws establishes that any dwelling offered for rent must be registered with the Board of Health and hold a valid certificate of registration stating the lawful number of bedrooms and occupants. Tenants can contact the Barnstable Board of Health to verify whether a unit is properly registered and whether the certificate reflects accurate occupancy limits. If a unit appears to be unregistered or the certificate has lapsed, tenants may raise that status with the Board of Health or consult a tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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