Lenox, Mass., Gen. Bylaws ch. XXVIII (2025) § 4
Penalties and Enforcement
Operative Text
1. This Bylaw shall be enforced by the Selectboard or its designee who may use any remedy
available at law or at equity, including seeking injunctive relief, to secure compliance
herewith.
2. Anyone who violates any provision of this Bylaw or who owns any STR used or operated
in violation of this Bylaw may be subject to non-criminal disposition in accordance with
MGL c. 40, § 21D. The Selectboard or their designee may issue fines, as follows:
a. $100, first offense.
b. $200, second offense.
c. $300, third offense and each subsequent offense.
3. Each day that a violation exists constitutes a separate offense.Section 4 of Lenox's Short-Term Rental Bylaw (ch. XXVIII, § 4) establishes a tiered fine structure for violations, starting at $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second, and $300 for a third or any subsequent offense. Crucially, each day a violation continues counts as its own separate offense, meaning fines can accumulate quickly over time. Enforcement authority rests with the Selectboard or its designee, who may pursue non-criminal disposition under Massachusetts General Laws ch. 40, § 21D, as well as any legal or equitable remedy, including injunctive relief.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of short-term rentals in Lenox should be aware that ch. XXVIII, § 4 gives the Selectboard broad enforcement tools, including the ability to issue escalating fines and seek court-ordered injunctions. A compliant operator generally ensures that all STR activity conforms to the bylaw before listing or renting a unit, since each day of non-compliance is treated as a separate, independently fineable offense. Keeping documentation of compliance efforts—such as registration records and operational policies—reflects the kind of ongoing diligence the bylaw's daily-offense structure implicitly demands.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants or neighbors affected by a short-term rental that may be operating outside Lenox's rules, ch. XXVIII, § 4 provides that the Selectboard or its designee is the designated enforcement authority and can be contacted to report potential violations. The bylaw's daily-offense provision means that ongoing non-compliance can be addressed incrementally, which may be relevant when raising concerns about a persistent issue. Tenant-rights organizations or a local housing attorney can help clarify what remedies or complaint processes may be 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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