Shelburne, Mass., Gen. Bylaws art. 21 (2025) § 5
Complaint Process and Enforcement
Operative Text
5.1 The Board of Health, or its designee, shall be the “enforcing person” for this bylaw.
The enforcing person may issue orders as appropriate to aid in the enforcement of this
bylaw and the regulations adopted hereunder, and may enforce these provisions in equity,
including the request for injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction and by
noncriminal disposition pursuant to G.L. c. 40, §2l D. Failure to comply with any order
issued hereunder shall be punishable by a fine of $300.00. Each day of continued
noncompliance shall constitute a separate violation. The imposition of a fine shall not be
construed to prevent enforcement of any other bylaws, laws or regulations nor prevent other
enforcement measures or fines, including civil or legal action against the owner to require
compliance with the order.
5.2 Upon receipt of a complaint from any person alleging that the condition, operation, or use of
a short-term residential rental is in violation of this bylaw, or otherwise, as the enforcing
person may determine in its discretion, the enforcing person may request an inspection of
the short-term residential rental property by each official or board with jurisdiction to
address the alleged violation. The owner shall make a good faith effort to arrange access by
authorized town personnel to the short-term residential rental property for the purpose of
conducting inspections within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving a request.
5.3 Upon a hearing by the enforcing person with notice to the owner, the enforcing person may
suspend or revoke a short-term residential rental license upon its determination that the
owner is in violation of this bylaw and has failed or is unable to cure the violation within the
time required.Article 21, Section 5 of Shelburne's Short Term Rental bylaw establishes a complaint and enforcement framework for short-term residential rentals. The Board of Health (or its designee) serves as the enforcing authority, empowered to issue orders, seek injunctive relief, and impose fines of $300 per day for each day of continued noncompliance. Complaints from any person can trigger inspections by relevant town officials, and after a noticed hearing, a short-term rental license may be suspended or revoked if a violation is found and not cured in time.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Article 21, Sections 5.1–5.3, operators of short-term rentals in Shelburne are expected to respond promptly to any enforcement orders issued by the Board of Health or its designee. Compliant operators generally arrange property access for authorized town inspectors within 24 hours of a request and take timely corrective action to cure any identified violations before a hearing is convened. Because each day of noncompliance with an order constitutes a separate $300 fine—and because a license can be suspended or revoked—operators typically maintain records of their compliance efforts and communicate proactively with the enforcing person.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Article 21, Section 5.2 of Shelburne's Short Term Rental bylaw allows any person to file a complaint alleging that a short-term rental's condition, operation, or use violates the bylaw. Upon receiving such a complaint, the enforcing person—the Board of Health or its designee—may initiate inspections by relevant town officials and, following a noticed hearing under Section 5.3, may suspend or revoke the rental license if a violation is confirmed and not corrected. Individuals with concerns about a short-term rental may contact the Shelburne Board of Health directly or consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand which enforcement path may be appropriate for their situation.
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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