Chelmsford, Mass., Code of Bylaws art iv emerg lodging § 201-16
Requirements (Chelmsford BoH Art. IV Emergency Lodging Programs)
Operative Text
A. Minimum space requirements for all single room/unit setups: at least 150 square feet of floor space for the first occupant and at least 100 square feet of floor space for the second occupant, 75 square feet for the third occupant and 50 square feet for the fourth occupant. (Bathroom facilities not included in habitable space needs or in meeting kitchen needs-must be totally separate) B. Maximum occupancy per square footage of room/unit. (1) One person needs: 150 sq. ft. (2) Two persons needs: 250 sq. ft. (3) Three persons need: 350 sq. ft. (4) Four persons needs: 450 sq. ft. C. Maximum stay period per room/unit-type/occupant number. (1) Single room/unit.*** (a) One person: 35 days. (b) Two persons: 28 days. (c) Three persons: 21 days. (d) Four persons: 14 days. (2) Single room/unit with kitchenette.* or a minimum of two meals a day provided.** (a) One person: 150 days. (b) Two persons: 120 days. (c) Three persons: 90 days. (d) Four persons: 60 days. (3) Single room/unit with full kitchen.*** (a) One person: 180 days. (b) Two persons: 150 days. (c) Three persons: 120 days. (d) Four persons: 90 days. (4) Single room/unit with full kitchen, separate bedroom and couch bed unit.*** (a) One person: 365 days. (b) Two persons: 365 days. (c) Three persons: 270 days. (d) Four persons: 180 days. NOTES *Restriction on stay period based on one or more of the following: lack of kitchen capacity, storage space, and privacy issues. **If any room/unit is 150 square feet or more above the minimum requirement listed above, the stay period may be extended by 25% more days. D. A permit is required from the Chelmsford Board of Health, renewed annually. Annual permit fee set per the Board of Health fee schedule. E. All units/rooms meeting the above requirements must have an initial pre-occupancy inspection by this office to ensure compliance to this regulation. The initial pre-occupancy inspection is included in the yearly permit application. Requests for additional rooms/units to be added to the permit will require a pre-occupancy inspection at a fee set by the Board of Health. F. Re-inspections may occur as deemed necessary by the Chelmsford Health Department. A re-inspection fee set by the Board of Health. G. As each unit/room is vacated, the ownership of the establishment is required to submit documentation (letter or email) to the Chelmsford Health Department confirming that the occupant(s) have left the unit/room before the expiration of the approved stay period. Prior to a new occupant entering the unit/room, it must be inspected by the Chelmsford Health Department at a fee per inspection per unit/room. Fees are set by the Chelmsford Board of Health. H. To ensure compliance, the ownership of said business is required to submit the *monthly report to the Chelmsford Health Department. The *monthly report lists unit/room size, room type, number of people occupying the room, start date, departure date required, and actual departure date. *Addendum A (Monthly report) [1] [1] Editor's Note: Said addendum is on file in the Town offices. I. Should the occupant and/or agency need to extend the stay beyond the designated time frame due to extraordinary circumstances the request must be in writing to the Health Department indicating the exact reason the extension is needed. An occupant and/or agency may only request an extension two times.
Chelmsford, Mass., Code of Bylaws ART. IV EMERG LODGING § 201-16 establishes minimum floor-space requirements, maximum occupancy limits, and maximum stay periods for emergency lodging units based on the number of occupants and the type of amenities available (no kitchen, kitchenette, full kitchen, or full kitchen with separate bedroom). Bathroom space does not count toward habitable area calculations. Operators must obtain an annual permit from the Chelmsford Board of Health, pass pre-occupancy inspections for each unit, submit monthly occupancy reports, and document each guest's departure; stay extensions beyond the set limits are allowed only twice per occupant or agency and must be requested in writing with a stated reason.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 201-16, compliant emergency lodging operators secure an annual permit from the Chelmsford Board of Health before accepting guests and ensure every unit meets the tiered square-footage minimums—starting at 150 sq. ft. for a single occupant—before anyone moves in. Operators schedule pre-occupancy inspections for each unit or room added to the permit, submit the required monthly report listing unit size, room type, occupancy count, start date, and actual departure date, and send written confirmation to the Chelmsford Health Department each time a unit is vacated. When a guest or agency needs more time than the approved stay period allows, operators are aware that § 201-16 limits such extension requests to two per occupant or agency and requires a written explanation of the extraordinary circumstances.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 201-16 of the Chelmsford emergency lodging bylaws sets enforceable limits on how long a person may stay in a given unit type—ranging from 14 days for four occupants in a basic room up to 365 days in a fully equipped unit with a separate bedroom—and guarantees that every unit meets minimum space standards before occupancy begins. If a stay needs to go beyond the approved period due to extraordinary circumstances, the rule allows up to two written extension requests to the Chelmsford Health Department. Tenants or agencies who believe a unit does not meet the space, inspection, or stay-period requirements of § 201-16 may contact the Chelmsford Health Department directly or consult a local 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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