Springfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 238 § 238-1
Purpose (Springfield Short-Term Rentals)
Operative Text
In accordance with Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2018, this chapter "short-term rentals" has been enacted by City of Springfield for the purpose of establishing clear and comprehensive regulations through which certain dwelling units within the City may be utilized as so-called "short-term rental" units. This chapter was created and approved in the best interest of the public, and furthers public safety by allowing for the safe and reasonably regulated operation of such rentals for Springfield residents, and by protecting the safety of renters and residents alike. This chapter ensures that the primary use of such rentals remains residential, and further seeks to protect against and eliminate safety concerns or detriments to the surrounding residential neighborhood that may be created by said short-term rentals, including but not limited to preventing the saturation of said rentals within City neighborhoods, and the preserving of neighborhood character. This chapter provides a process through which said short-term rental units may be registered with the City of Springfield under the stipulations set forth herein.
Springfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 238 § 238-1 establishes the overarching purpose of the city's short-term rental regulatory framework, enacted in accordance with Massachusetts Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2018. The chapter is designed to allow certain residential dwelling units to operate as short-term rentals while keeping their primary character residential and protecting surrounding neighborhoods from issues such as oversaturation. It also creates a registration process through which qualifying units can be formally recognized by the City of Springfield.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 238 § 238-1, the City of Springfield has established a regulatory framework specifically aimed at short-term rental operations, meaning property owners who offer or intend to offer short-term rentals are operating within a structured oversight environment. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the registration requirements set out in this chapter and ensure their rental activity aligns with the residential-use priorities the ordinance emphasizes. Understanding the stated goals of neighborhood preservation and safety can help operators anticipate the types of standards and restrictions that appear in subsequent sections of CH. 238.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 238 § 238-1 signals that Springfield has enacted rules intended to protect the safety and residential character of neighborhoods where short-term rentals operate, which can be relevant context for renters and long-term residents alike. Residents who believe short-term rental activity in their neighborhood conflicts with the purposes outlined in this chapter — such as oversaturation or neighborhood character concerns — may have grounds to raise those issues through the City of Springfield's administrative processes. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Springfield's housing code can help individuals understand how this chapter's stated protections connect to enforceable rights elsewhere in CH. 238.
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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