Dennis, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 113 § 113-2
Occupancy not to exceed specified or allowable limits (Dennis Housing Space and Use)
Operative Text
The owner, agent or tenant of rental property may be found in violation of this bylaw if the number of occupants exceeds that specified by the certificate of registration, or exceeds the allowable number determined by the Health Inspector, if no such registration shall be in effect.
Dennis, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 113 § 113-2 establishes that rental housing in Dennis may not be occupied by more people than the number listed on the property's certificate of registration. If no such certificate is in effect, the allowable occupancy limit is instead set by the Health Inspector. Any of the parties involved in the rental arrangement—owner, agent, or tenant—can be found in violation when occupancy exceeds these thresholds.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 113 § 113-2, compliant rental property operators in Dennis generally ensure that the number of occupants at any given time does not exceed what is specified on the property's certificate of registration. Operators who do not have an active certificate of registration should be aware that the Health Inspector holds authority to determine the allowable occupancy limit, and exceeding that limit can result in a violation finding against the owner or agent. Maintaining an up-to-date certificate of registration and tracking occupancy levels are practices associated with compliance under this bylaw.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 113 § 113-2 makes clear that tenants, not just owners or agents, can be found in violation if the number of people living in a rental unit exceeds the limit set by the certificate of registration or, absent one, the limit determined by the Health Inspector. Tenants who have questions about what occupancy limit applies to their unit may look to the certificate of registration or inquire with the Dennis Health Inspector's office. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Massachusetts housing law can be a resource for understanding how this bylaw may affect a particular rental situation.
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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