New Marlborough, Mass., Protective By-Laws § 24 (2024) § 24.1
PURPOSE
Operative Text
Berkshire communities are seeing a proliferation of properties dedicated to short-
term rental (“STR”) usage, including individual investors converting housing
stock specifically for STR investment and scaled corporate ownership and
management which, if allowed to expand without limitation, could impact the
character of New Marlborough (the “Town”). The purpose of this Section 24 is
to (i) define a STR; (ii) limit the commercialization of STR in the Town; (iii)
require Owners of STR to comply with health and fire code requirements; (iv)
minimize neighbor disruption and; (v) protect the quiet rural character of the
Town.New Marlborough's Short-Term Rental by-law, established under § 24.1, sets out the town's rationale for regulating short-term rentals (STRs). The provision identifies concerns about investor-driven conversion of residential housing stock and large-scale corporate STR ownership as potential threats to the town's rural character. In response, § 24.1 frames the overall goals of Section 24 as defining what an STR is, limiting its commercialization, ensuring health and fire code compliance, reducing neighbor disruption, and preserving the quiet character of New Marlborough.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating or considering short-term rentals in New Marlborough should understand that § 24.1 signals the town's intent to actively limit the commercial expansion of STRs. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the full scope of Section 24, which flows from the purposes stated here, including health and fire code requirements and rules designed to minimize impacts on neighboring properties. Staying current with the by-law as adopted at the May 6, 2024 Annual Town Meeting and approved by the Attorney General on July 29, 2024 is a baseline practice for anyone managing STR properties in the town.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants and community members, § 24.1 of New Marlborough's Protective By-Laws signals that the town has formally recognized the potential for STR proliferation to reduce available housing stock and disrupt residential neighborhoods. This purpose statement underpins the substantive rules that follow in Section 24, which may be relevant to anyone experiencing neighbor disruption from nearby STR activity or concerned about housing availability. Those with questions about how the by-law's goals translate into enforceable rights or remedies may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the full text of Section 24 as approved.
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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