Newburyport, Mass., Code of Ordinances ch. 9, art. XI (2026) § 9-301
Definitions
Operative Text
Except as otherwise specified herein, all terms used in this article XI shall be as defined in Newburyport zoning ordinance or, if not defined therein, then as defined in 830 CMR 64G.00 (Room Occupancy Excise). Emergency contact mean a natural person who, in addition to the operator, will be responsible to receive and act on complaints, problems or emergencies at an STRU, as described in section 9-306 (g). Enforcement agent mean the person duly appointed by the city to investigate complaints and issue violation notices pursuant to the provisions of this article XI. Licensing board mean the Licensing Board of the City of Newburyport. Registration number mean a unique identification number generated by the licensing board for each registered short term rental unit (STRU). Registration numbers shall be valid for one (1) year from the date of issuance and shall be assigned to both a single STRU and a single operator. The registration number shall be included on any listing or advertisement for the rental of the STRU. Short-term rental registry mean the database of STRUs located within Newburyport and maintained by the licensing board in coordination with registration or other regulation of such use by the commonwealth. The location of STRUs within the city shall be made public, as may additional information in the short-term rental registry as required by law, or otherwise at the reasonable discretion of the licensing board.
Section 9-301 of the Newburyport Code of Ordinances, Chapter 9, Article XI establishes the foundational vocabulary for the city's short-term rental unit (STRU) regulatory framework. Key terms defined include 'emergency contact,' 'enforcement agent,' 'licensing board,' 'registration number,' and 'short-term rental registry.' Any term not defined here defaults first to the Newburyport zoning ordinance and then to Massachusetts 830 CMR 64G.00, which governs the Room Occupancy Excise.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of short-term rental units in Newburyport should familiarize themselves with the definitions established in § 9-301, as these terms govern how the entire Article XI regulatory scheme applies to their properties. A compliant operator generally ensures they have a designated emergency contact as described in § 9-306(g), maintains a valid registration number issued by the Licensing Board of the City of Newburyport, and includes that registration number in all listings and advertisements. Understanding that registration numbers are unit-specific, operator-specific, and valid for only one year helps operators stay ahead of renewal obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants or prospective guests of short-term rental units in Newburyport, § 9-301 establishes that each legally operating STRU should have a registration number and a designated emergency contact responsible for addressing complaints or emergencies. The short-term rental registry, maintained by the Licensing Board of the City of Newburyport, is intended to be at least partially public, meaning renters may be able to verify whether a unit is properly registered. Those with concerns about an unlisted or unregistered STRU may look to the enforcement agent described in § 9-301 or consult a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
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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