Boston, Mass., Mun. Code § 9-14 (2026) § 9-14.9
Penalties
Operative Text
(A) Offering an ineligible unit as a short-term rental. Any person who offers a unit as a short-term rental, or any booking agent who accepts a fee for booking a unit as a short-term rental, where such unit is not an eligible residential unit, shall be fined $300 per violation per day. Each day’s failure to comply with a notice of violation or any other order shall constitute a separate violation. The Commissioner, or a designee, may also seek an injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction prohibiting the offering of the unit as a short-term rental. (B) Failure to register. Any person who offers an eligible residential unit as a short-term rental without registering with ISD, or any person who offers an eligible residential unit as a short-term rental while the unit’s registration on the Short-Term Rental Registry is suspended, shall be fined $100 per violation per day. Each day’s failure to comply with a notice of violation or any other order shall constitute a separate violation. (C) Failure to comply with notice of violation. Any person who fails to comply with any notice of violation or other order issued pursuant to this Section by the Commissioner, or a designee, for a violation of any provision of this Section shall be fined $100 dollars per violation per day. Each day’s failure to comply with a notice of violation or any other order shall constitute a separate violation.
Boston Municipal Code § 9-14 § 9-14.9 establishes a tiered penalty structure for short-term rental violations in Boston. Offering a unit that is not eligible for short-term rental carries a fine of $300 per violation per day, and the Commissioner may also seek a court injunction to stop the listing. Operating without registration—or while registration is suspended—and failing to comply with a notice of violation each carry fines of $100 per violation per day, with every additional day of non-compliance counted as a separate, independently fineable offense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Boston Municipal Code § 9-14 § 9-14.9, compliant short-term rental operators generally ensure that any listed unit qualifies as an eligible residential unit before it appears on any platform, maintain an active and unsuspended registration with the Inspectional Services Department (ISD), and promptly address any notice of violation or order issued by the Commissioner. Because each day of continued non-compliance is treated as a distinct violation, operators typically act quickly upon receiving any enforcement communication to avoid accumulating daily fines. Booking agents are also subject to these penalties if they accept fees for ineligible units, so coordination between hosts and platforms is a common compliance practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Boston Municipal Code § 9-14 § 9-14.9 is relevant to tenants who believe their building or unit is being improperly listed as a short-term rental—for example, if a unit that is not eligible is being offered, or if a landlord is operating without proper ISD registration. Tenants who encounter such situations may consider filing a complaint with Boston's Inspectional Services Department, which has authority to issue notices of violation and pursue daily fines against non-compliant operators. Tenant-rights organizations in Boston can also help residents understand whether a particular listing may conflict with this provision and what general options are available.
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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