Newton, Mass., City Ordinances §§ 20-160–20-168 (2020) § 20-162

Operators must register with the Inspectional Services Department prior to the occupancy of any Short Term Rental
that commences after January 1, 2020 by submitting the following:

    (a) State Certificate. A copy of the State certificate of registration issued in accordance with Massachusetts
        General Laws Chapter 62C, Section 67.

    (b) Local Operator Affidavit. A completed sworn Local Operator Affidavit, in a form established by the
        Inspectional Services Department, that at minimum contains the following information:

            1) Contact information of Operator and Local Contact;

            2) Proof of ownership and Residence;

            3) Description of operation and number of rooms/units that will be rented;

            4) Confirmation that there is no outstanding code enforcement or outstanding building permits;

            5) Signature of Operator certifying that the Short Term Rental conforms to this article.

    (c) Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Certificate of Compliance. All Short Term Rentals must comply with the
        applicable smoke detector and carbon monoxide requirements for residential units set forth in Sec. 10-11
        of these Ordinances and Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 148, Section 26E. Operators must schedule
        an inspection with the Fire Department and receive a Certificate of Compliance indicating that the property
        meets the smoke detector and carbon monoxide requirements prior to the first occupancy commencing after
        January 1, 2020. Operators shall be responsible for the smoke detector inspection/permit fee to be paid
        directly to the Fire Department as set forth in Sec. 17-10 of these Ordinances.

    (d) House Rules. A copy of the House Rules required to be posted and distributed in accordance with Sec. 20-
        164 of this ordinance.

    (e) Registration Filing Fee. At the time of registration, Operators must pay a filing fee of $100, an amount
        established by the City Council. All applicable inspection fees shall be paid directly to the inspecting
        department at the time of inspection.

    (f) Local Contact Information. When registering, an Operator must provide his or her name and contact
        information, and, in the event that the Operator is not present during the Short Term Rental, the name and
        contact information of an individual who is able to respond in person to any issues or emergencies that arise

                                Newton Ordinances On-Line - Chapter 20 - page 44
§ 20-159               NEWTON ORDINANCES —MISCELLANEOUS ORDINANCES                                          § 20-159

       during the Short Term Rental within two (2) hours of being notified. Contact information must include a
       telephone number that is active 24 hours per day to short term rental occupants and public safety agencies.
       This phone number shall be included in the registration of the Short Term Rental unit at the time of
       registration. Failure of the local contact to respond within the stated period shall constitute a violation of
       this ordinance.

   (g) Proof of Residence. A property owner or indirect property owner must reside in the dwelling unit operated
       as a Short Term Rental for a minimum of 9 out of 12 months during each calendar year. Indirect ownership
       includes but is not limited to a beneficiary of a trust holding record title to the property and a majority owner
       of the voting stock of a corporation or the membership units of a limited liability company holding record
       title to the property.When registering a Short Term Rental, an Operator must provide evidence that he or
       she resides in the dwelling unit for a minimum of 9 out of 12 months during each calendar year, as
       demonstrated by at least two of the following: utility bill, voter registration, motor vehicle registration,
       deed, lease, driver’s license or state-issued identification.

   (h) All Short Term Rentals registered with the Inspectional Services Department under the provisions of this
        article shall be issued a certificate of registration and registration number.