Gloucester, Mass., Code of Ordinances ch. 5, art. V (2026) § 5-67
Penalties; enforcement
Operative Text
(a) No person or entity may offer a residential unit as a short-term rental in violation of this article. No booking agent/hosting platform may accept a fee for booking a residential unit that is in violation of this article, provided that the city has first notified the booking agent/hosting platform of such violation of the residential unit. All violations of this section may be penalized by a noncriminal disposition as provided for in G.L. c. 40, § 21D. Violations of this section shall have a penalty of $400.00 per occurrence. Each day on which a violation exists shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense. The provisions of this section may also be enforced, if applicable, by the inspectional services department seeking an injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction prohibiting the offering of the short-term rental. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the city from seeking any additional penalties or taking any additional enforcement action as allowed for by law. (b) The inspector of buildings shall administer and enforce the provisions of this article.
Gloucester Code of Ordinances ch. 5, art. V § 5-67 establishes that no person, entity, or booking platform may offer or facilitate a short-term rental that violates the article's requirements. Violations carry a $400 penalty per occurrence, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. The city's inspectional services department can also seek a court injunction to stop an unlawful short-term rental, and the city retains the right to pursue any additional remedies available under law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Gloucester Code of Ordinances ch. 5, art. V § 5-67, operators of short-term rentals are generally expected to ensure their listings fully comply with the article before accepting any bookings. Because each day of non-compliance is treated as a distinct offense, a $400 penalty can accumulate rapidly, making ongoing violations especially costly. Compliant operators typically keep their registration current, ensure their listing platforms are only booking units that meet all local requirements, and respond promptly to any city notices of violation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Gloucester Code of Ordinances ch. 5, art. V § 5-67 gives the inspector of buildings authority to administer and enforce short-term rental rules, and residents who believe a nearby unit is being offered illegally may contact that office to report the concern. The city can pursue daily $400 fines and even seek a court injunction to halt an unlawful rental, providing meaningful enforcement tools. Tenants or neighbors affected by non-compliant short-term rentals may also consult a tenant-rights organization to understand what options are 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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