Rockport, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 276 § 276-2
License required (Rockport Short-Term Rentals)
Operative Text
A. License. Every owner of residential premises who offers rentals to short-term paying guests must first obtain a license to do so from the Select Board. Licenses are valid for a calendar year and must be renewed annually. Application for a license can be made at any time, but the license shall expire December 31 of the subject year. B. Applications. Application shall be made on a form promulgated by the Select Board and shall contain sufficient information to determine the scope of the proposed short-term rental operation, including, but not limited to, location, number of rooms to be rented and whether meals prepared at the house will be served. By completing the application form, applicants shall be confirming the following: (1) The property complies with applicable Board of Health regulations and Fire Department safety measures and that the property shall be made available for inspections by the Health, Fire, and Inspectional Services Departments at intervals determined by the Select Board through regulations. (2) Name of a local authorized agent who can act on behalf of the owner in the absence of the owner in the case of problems, violations, or emergencies should they arise while the owner is not present. A name, address, functioning phone number, and email address shall be required. (3) Agreement to maintain a guest registry showing the name of each guest and the night(s) of their stay. The registry shall be made available for review at any time at the request of the enforcement agent and/or Select Board. C. Application fee. The Select Board shall annually determine the license fee. Further, once the fee is determined, the Select Board shall determine which percentage of the license fee shall be deposited into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. D. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations. A license issued under this by-law shall not be deemed to supersede the application of any other lawful requirements applicable to the use authorized therein, including the necessity of obtaining other licenses or permits. E. Regulations. Owners shall be required to adhere to regulations for the short-term rental of homes that the Select Board shall promulgate from time to time.
Rockport, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 276 § 276-2 establishes that any residential property owner who rents to short-term paying guests must hold a valid license issued by the Select Board before doing so. Licenses run on a calendar-year basis, expiring December 31, and must be renewed each year. The licensing process requires detailed application information, confirmation of health and fire code compliance, designation of a local agent, and maintenance of a guest registry — and obtaining this license does not exempt the operator from any other applicable legal requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 276 § 276-2, compliant short-term rental operators in Rockport secure their Select Board license before accepting any paying guests and renew it each calendar year before the December 31 expiration. They keep an up-to-date guest registry, designate a reachable local agent with full contact information, and make the property available for inspections by Health, Fire, and Inspectional Services Departments as scheduled. Operators also stay current with any regulations the Select Board promulgates from time to time, and they obtain any additional permits or licenses that other applicable laws may require.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 276 § 276-2 requires that any Rockport residential property offered for short-term rental be licensed by the Select Board, meaning guests have a basis to verify whether a host is operating lawfully before or during a stay. The provision also mandates that the property meet Board of Health regulations and Fire Department safety standards, and that a local agent be reachable in the event of problems or emergencies. Those who believe a short-term rental is operating without a required license or in violation of these conditions may raise the matter with the Select Board or the relevant enforcement departments named in this bylaw.
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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