Brookline, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 5 11 § 5.11.5
Inspections (Brookline Short-Term Rentals)
Operative Text
A. Prior to approving an initial certificate of registration, the Public Health and Human Services, Building and Fire Departments shall conduct a health and safety inspection. Such inspections may be conducted upon renewal or in connection with an annual or other inspectional schedule to be determined by the Town. Such inspections may be used to verify that each short-term rental unit: (1) Meets all building, health and fire code and regulatory requirements. (2) Meets all requirements of this by-law and of any regulations promulgated pursuant to this by-law. B. Inspections shall be made on weekdays during normal Town business hours. In addition, inspections may be made at other times (including but not limited to evenings and weekends) to investigate complaints and/or concerns regarding noncompliance or health and safety issues. Inspections shall be conducted in conformity with applicable federal, state and local law. Facilities requiring reinspection are subject to applicable reinspection fees.
Section 5.11.5 of Brookline's Code of Bylaws establishes an inspection framework for short-term rental units. Before a unit can receive its initial certificate of registration, the Public Health and Human Services, Building, and Fire Departments must conduct a health and safety inspection to confirm the unit meets all applicable building, health, and fire codes, as well as the requirements of the short-term rental bylaw. Inspections may also occur at renewal, on a scheduled basis, or outside normal business hours when complaints or noncompliance concerns arise, and units that require a follow-up reinspection may be charged reinspection fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of short-term rental units in Brookline should be aware that under § 5.11.5, a multi-department health and safety inspection is a prerequisite to obtaining an initial certificate of registration. Compliant operators generally ensure their units satisfy all building, health, and fire code requirements before requesting inspection, and they maintain that compliance on an ongoing basis since inspections can recur at renewal or on a Town-determined schedule. Because inspections may also be triggered by complaints and conducted outside normal weekday business hours, operators who keep their units in continuous code-compliant condition are better positioned to accommodate unscheduled visits and avoid reinspection fees.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 5.11.5, short-term rental units in Brookline are subject to health and safety inspections by the Public Health and Human Services, Building, and Fire Departments, giving tenants a baseline assurance that registered units have been reviewed for code compliance. If a tenant has concerns about health, safety, or noncompliance in a short-term rental, the bylaw explicitly contemplates complaint-driven inspections, which can occur outside normal business hours. Tenants who believe a unit does not meet applicable standards may consider contacting the relevant Brookline Town departments or a local tenant-rights organization to understand the options available under this provision.
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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