Holyoke, Mass., Code of Ordinances §§ 22-1–22-2 (2026) § 22-2
Operating without a license, penalty
Operative Text
This section shall be enforced by the license board and the police department. Whoever keeps an automatic amusement device for hire, gain or reward without a license shall be subject to a fine of not more than $100.00. Whoever assumes to be an innholder or common victualler without being licensed as such shall be subject to a fine of $100.00. Whoever offers to view, sets up, sets on foot, maintains, carries on, publishes or otherwise promotes any entertainment without a license shall be subject to a fine of $50.00 for each day in violation for the first offense, $100.00 for each day in violation for the second offense, $500.00 for each day in violation for the third offense, $1,000.00 for each day in violation for the fourth offense and $5,000.00 for each day in violation for the fifth and each subsequent offense. Whoever conducts a lodging house without a license shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00.
Holyoke Code of Ordinances ch. 22, §§ 22-1–22-2 establishes that certain businesses and activities in Holyoke — including operating automatic amusement devices, acting as an innholder or common victualler, promoting entertainment, and running a lodging house — require a license before operating. Running any of these without the proper license exposes the operator to monetary fines that vary by activity type, with entertainment violations carrying escalating daily fines for repeat offenses. The provision is enforced jointly by the Holyoke license board and the police department.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of lodging houses, entertainment venues, or food-service establishments in Holyoke should be aware that ch. 22, §§ 22-1–22-2 requires a valid license before commencing operations. A compliant operator secures the appropriate license from the Holyoke license board prior to opening and renews it as required, since operating without one can result in fines ranging from $50 per day up to $5,000 per day for repeat entertainment violations, or between $100 and $500 for unlicensed lodging house operation. Keeping documentation of current licensure on hand is a standard practice for operators subject to this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants residing in a lodging house in Holyoke may have an interest in knowing that ch. 22, §§ 22-1–22-2 requires lodging house operators to hold a valid license issued by the Holyoke license board. If a lodging house appears to be operating without such a license, that potential violation can be reported to the Holyoke license board or the police department, both of which are designated enforcers under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Holyoke housing regulations can help residents understand how unlicensed operation may relate to other housing protections available to them.
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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