Framingham, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 312 § 312-5
Registers, card files and rosters (Framingham Lodging Houses)
Operative Text
A. The licensee of every lodging house shall keep or cause to be kept, in a permanent form, a register. Such register shall contain the true name or name in ordinary use and the last residence of every person engaging or occupying a private room, together with a true and accurate record of the room assigned to such person and of the day and hour of check-in and checkout. The entry of the names of the person engaging a room and the lodgers of said room shall be made by said person engaging said room or by any lodger thereto. B. Until the entry of such name and the record of the room have been made, such person shall not be allowed to occupy privately any room upon licensed premises. C. In addition, each licensee shall keep or cause to be kept a card file or database containing current information on each lodger, including full name; date and time of registration; room number; former address; registration number, state of registration, and make of automobile; and the name and telephone number of the person to be notified in case of emergency. These cards should be kept for a minimum of one year after departure of the lodger. The register, card file, and roster required in this section shall be available for inspection at all times by the Board of License Commissioners, its agent(s), the Building Commissioner and their designee(s), the Director of Public Health and their designee(s), and any officer of the Framingham Police Department.
Framingham, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 312 § 312-5 requires that every licensed lodging house maintain a permanent register recording each guest's true name, last residence, assigned room, and check-in and checkout times. No guest may privately occupy a room until their name and room assignment have been entered into the register. Separately, operators must also maintain a card file or database with more detailed lodger information — including emergency contacts and vehicle details — retained for at least one year after departure, and all of these records must be available for inspection by designated city officials and police at any time.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 312 § 312-5, compliant lodging house operators maintain both a permanent guest register and a detailed card file or database for every lodger, ensuring entries are completed before a guest is permitted to occupy any room. The card file or database typically includes full name, registration date and time, room number, former address, vehicle information, and an emergency contact, and is retained for a minimum of one year after each lodger's departure. Operators generally ensure these records are organized and immediately accessible for inspection by the Board of License Commissioners, the Building Commissioner, the Director of Public Health, and Framingham Police Department officers at all times.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 312 § 312-5 establishes that lodgers at a licensed lodging house have the right to have their registration information — including their name and room assignment — properly recorded before they occupy a room, which is a baseline protection tied to the licensing of the premises. If a lodging house appears to be operating without maintaining these records, that may constitute a violation that can be reported to the Board of License Commissioners, the Building Commissioner, or the Director of Public Health, all of whom are authorized to inspect these records. Tenants who have questions about their rights under this provision may find it helpful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Framingham's lodging regulations.
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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