Barnstable, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 170 § 170-5
Posting of certificate of registration (Barnstable Rental Properties)
Operative Text
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 conspicuously posting within such dwelling or portion of a dwelling a certificate of registration provided by the Board of Health specifying the number of bedrooms and the number of persons such dwelling or portion of a dwelling may lawfully accommodate.
Barnstable, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 170 § 170-5 establishes that any dwelling or portion of a dwelling offered or rented for human habitation must have a Board of Health–issued certificate of registration posted in a conspicuous location inside the unit before any rental or lease activity begins. The certificate must specify the lawful number of bedrooms and the maximum number of occupants permitted. This rule applies to anyone who rents, leases, or even offers to rent or lease residential space in Barnstable.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 170 § 170-5, compliant rental operators in Barnstable obtain a certificate of registration from the Board of Health before listing or renting any dwelling or portion thereof for human habitation. The certificate, which states the permitted number of bedrooms and maximum occupancy, must be posted in a location within the unit where it can be readily seen. Operators generally ensure the certificate is in place before a prospective tenant tours the unit, since the prohibition covers offering to rent as well as actually renting.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 170 § 170-5 gives tenants in Barnstable the right to expect a Board of Health certificate of registration to be conspicuously posted inside their dwelling or unit before it is rented or offered for rent. If no such certificate is visible, that may represent a violation of this provision, and tenants can contact the Barnstable Board of Health to inquire about the property's registration status or report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what options may be available when a landlord has not complied with posting requirements.
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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