Sandwich, Mass., Gen. Bylaws ch. 12 (2025) § 12.03
Ineligible Units
Operative Text
The following are not eligible to be rented as STRs.
1) Dwellings designated as income restricted or are subject to affordability covenants.
2) Accessory apartments and Accessory Dwelling Units
3) Dwellings subject to any outstanding building, health, zoning or fire code violations.Section 12.03 of Sandwich, Mass., Gen. Bylaws ch. 12 identifies three categories of residential units that are categorically barred from operating as short-term rentals (STRs): income-restricted or affordability-covenant-encumbered dwellings, accessory apartments and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and any dwelling currently carrying unresolved building, health, zoning, or fire code violations. The rule draws a bright line around these unit types regardless of an owner's intent or the nature of the proposed rental. No exceptions or variance process is described within this provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers in Sandwich should review their portfolio against the three ineligibility categories established in § 12.03 before listing any unit as a short-term rental. Compliant operators confirm that a dwelling is free of affordability covenants or income restrictions, is not classified as an accessory apartment or ADU, and carries no outstanding code violations in any regulated category. Operators who discover an open violation typically resolve it through the appropriate municipal department and obtain documentation of closure before proceeding with any STR listing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12.03 means that certain units—including ADUs, income-restricted housing, and dwellings with unresolved code violations—should never lawfully appear on the short-term rental market in Sandwich. Tenants or neighbors who believe a unit is being advertised or operated as an STR in violation of these ineligibility rules may raise the issue with the Town of Sandwich's relevant municipal departments, such as the building or health department. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing advocacy groups can help individuals understand what options may be available when a unit appears to be operating outside the bounds of § 12.03.
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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