Otis, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 108 § 108-4
Compliance and inspections (Otis Short-Term Rentals)
Operative Text
A. Registration and licensing. All STR operations shall register and be licensed prior to beginning operation. Owners, operators or operators' agents may file the application for registration to the AHJ. All documents and fees required must be paid before a license will be issued. Proof of registration with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Revenue and compliance with commonwealth insurance requirements must be provided. A registration or license number of the STR will be issued. This number must be used in any advertising, listing or marketing for the STR to identify the unit and occupancy. B. STR code compliance. Owners shall provide, install, and maintain in operable condition smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in every dwelling that is required to be equipped with smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with any provision of the Massachusetts General Laws and any applicable regulations of the State Board of Fire Prevention (527 CMR), State Board of Building Regulations (780 CMR), or the Board of Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (248 CMR). A fire extinguisher shall be mounted in an accessible location in the normal path of travel in or near the kitchen. If there is more than one habitable level, a fire extinguisher shall be mounted on each level in an easily accessible location. In a STR without a kitchen, a fire extinguisher shall be mounted in an easily accessible location to occupants. C. Inspection, non-owner-occupied STR. Non-owner-occupied STRs require an inspection by the Zoning Enforcement Officer prior to issuance of a STR license and an inspection during the renewal period of each year after to maintain the STR license. D. Inspection, partially exempt properties. Owner-occupied, owner-adjacent and resident operator/owner-nonadjacent STRs require an inspection by the Zoning Enforcement Officer prior to issuance of a STR license. These properties are exempt from continuing renewal inspections. E. Inspection, complaints. STRs may be subject to inspection by the Zoning Enforcement Officer and may include the Board of Health (BOH), Fire Department and/or the Building Inspections Department. Inspections scheduled due to complaints from renters, abutting property owners or other aggrieved parties will be scheduled by the Zoning Enforcement Officer and the operator/owner as listed on the registration form. Inspections will be scheduled to the best of the Zoning Enforcement Officer's ability to accommodate a timely process. Information on the registration provided by the operator /owner that is not current or accurate may result in additional violations of the license. Failure to respond or failure to submit current information may result in additional violations and or revocation of the STR license.
Otis, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 108 § 108-4 establishes a comprehensive compliance framework for short-term rentals (STRs) in Otis, Massachusetts. Before any STR may operate, it must be registered and licensed through the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), with all fees paid and proof of state-level tax registration and insurance compliance provided. The assigned registration number must appear in all advertising and listings. The provision also sets safety equipment standards—including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers—and outlines different inspection schedules depending on whether the property is owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied, with complaint-triggered inspections possible for any STR.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 108 § 108-4, compliant STR operators in Otis secure their registration and license before accepting any guests, ensuring all fees are paid and that documentation from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and applicable insurers is on file with the AHJ. Operators keep the assigned registration number visible in every advertisement or listing for the unit. They install and maintain smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and properly mounted fire extinguishers as required, and they keep their registration contact information current and accurate—since outdated information can itself constitute a license violation and potentially lead to revocation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 108 § 108-4 gives renters of Otis STRs a basis to verify that the unit they are renting carries a valid license number, which must appear in any listing or advertisement. If a renter believes a unit lacks required safety equipment or is otherwise out of compliance, the provision explicitly identifies renters as parties who may trigger a complaint-based inspection by the Zoning Enforcement Officer, potentially involving the Board of Health, Fire Department, or Building Inspections Department. Tenants who encounter concerns about an STR's compliance may contact the Zoning Enforcement Officer directly or reach out to 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.