Provincetown, Mass., Bd. of Health Reg. pt. XII art. 5 (2026) § 4
Rental Certificate – Conditions, Term and Fees
Operative Text
Rental Certificates shall be issued subject to such conditions as the Board of Health deems necessary for the protection of public health, safety and welfare. The Rental Certificates shall specify the maximum number of occupants that may be permitted in each unit. Maximum occupancy will be determined by Board of Health staff based on information provided in the application and available Town records. An inspection may be required to aid in the determination of maximum occupancy. The Rental Certificates shall specify the name and contact information for persons responsible for responding to emergencies and requests for assistance from tenants and/or Board of Health staff. The Rental Certificate shall be conspicuously posted on the premises in a location accessible to all occupants and visitors. All advertisements of property for rent shall clearly post the Rental Certificate number assigned by the Town of Provincetown. Applicants for a rental certificate will attest and certify under the pains and penalties of perjury the type of certificate they are requesting: Short-Term Rental Certificate: The property will be operated in such a way as to require payment of state and/or local occupancy excise taxes under 830 CMR 64G.1.1 for the short-term rentals, as defined in said regulations, which includes most rental for periods of thirty-one (31) consecutive days or less.1 Short-Term Rental Certificates will be effective for one year from the date of issue, unless sooner revoked in accordance with these regulations. It is permissible to rent for longer durations (i.e., seasonal) with this certificate. Long-Term Rental Certificate: The property will not be operated in such a way as to require payment of state and/or local occupancy excise taxes under 830 CMR 64G.1.1 for the short-term rentals, as defined in said regulations. 1 A full list of circumstances requiring payment of occupancy excise tax for short-term rentals and thus, registration under this regulation, is set forth if 830 CMR 64G. 1 PART Long-Term Rental Certificates for year-round and/or seasonal use will be effective for three years from the date of issue, unless sooner revoked in accordance with these regulations. It is not permissible to rent for shorter durations (i.e., less than 31 consecutive days, weekly or nightly rental) with this certificate. Hotel, Motel, Bed and Breakfast: Properties operated solely as hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts, as defined in 830 CNR 64G, do not require rental certificates. Completion of a new or renewal rental certificate application shall include notice of the Owner’s Duty of Compliance that the above listed items are true for the intended type of use of the rental unit and will remain so for the life of the rental certificate. The fees for a Rental Certificate shall be listed in the Board of Health fee schedule.
Provincetown Board of Health Regulation Part XII, Article 5, § 4 establishes the conditions under which Rental Certificates are issued for rental properties in Provincetown. Each certificate specifies the unit's maximum occupancy, emergency contact information, and must be conspicuously posted on the premises; all rental advertisements must display the assigned certificate number. Two main certificate types exist — Short-Term (valid one year, covering rentals of 31 consecutive days or less subject to occupancy excise tax) and Long-Term (valid three years, covering rentals not subject to that excise tax) — and applicants must certify under penalty of perjury which type applies to their intended use. Hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfasts as defined under 830 CMR 64G are exempt from this certificate requirement entirely.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Provincetown Board of Health Regulation Part XII, Article 5, § 4, compliant rental property operators obtain the correct certificate type — Short-Term or Long-Term — based on how they actually intend to rent the unit, and they certify that choice under penalty of perjury. Operators post the Rental Certificate conspicuously on the premises where all occupants and visitors can access it, and they include the assigned certificate number in every rental advertisement. Responsible operators also ensure that emergency contact information on the certificate remains current, that occupancy limits are observed, and that the certificate is renewed on schedule — annually for Short-Term certificates and every three years for Long-Term certificates.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Provincetown Board of Health Regulation Part XII, Article 5, § 4 entitles occupants to see a posted Rental Certificate in a location accessible to all occupants and visitors, which should display the unit's maximum permitted occupancy and emergency contact information. If a certificate is not posted, if the unit appears to exceed its stated occupancy limit, or if a rental advertisement lacks the required certificate number, tenants can report these concerns directly to the Provincetown Board of Health, which is the body responsible for issuing and overseeing these certificates. Tenants who believe their unit is being operated under the wrong certificate type — for example, a property rented short-term under a Long-Term certificate — may also raise that concern with the Board of Health or consult a local 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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