Westfield, Mass., Code of Ordinances ch. 6, art. V (2025) § 6-93
Rental units an accessory use
Operative Text
In any district the taking of roomers or boarders or tourists shall be considered accessory to the use of a dwelling unit provided that: (1) For purposes of this article, a dwelling unit shall mean a single-family residence or a multiple family residence consisting of individual units, each providing complete living facilities for one family. (2) In addition to two parking spaces for the resident family, there shall be one separate off-street parking space available upon the premises for each lodger, roomer or tourist. (3) In any rooming house as described above, there shall be two means of egress approved by the superintendent of building. (4) For purposes of this section, basements are not considered to be approved living space.
Under Westfield Code of Ordinances ch. 6, art. V § 6-93, renting rooms to lodgers, boarders, or tourists is treated as a secondary (accessory) use of a residential dwelling rather than a separate commercial activity. The provision applies to single-family homes and multi-family buildings with individual units, and it sets specific physical requirements: one additional off-street parking space per lodger beyond the two spaces reserved for the resident family, two approved means of egress in any rooming house, and a prohibition on counting basement space as approved living area.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners in Westfield who rent rooms to lodgers, boarders, or tourists under ch. 6, art. V § 6-93 generally ensure that their property meets all four conditions before accepting paying guests. Compliant operators confirm that adequate off-street parking exists — two spaces for the resident household plus one per lodger — and that any rooming arrangement includes two egress routes approved by the superintendent of building. Operators also avoid designating basement areas as rentable living space, since § 6-93 explicitly excludes basements from approved living quarters.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Westfield Code of Ordinances ch. 6, art. V § 6-93 establishes baseline physical standards that a rooming arrangement must meet, which can be relevant to a tenant's safety and habitability expectations. Tenants renting a room or board arrangement may want to verify that the property provides the required off-street parking, two approved means of egress, and that any space offered as living quarters is not a basement. Those who believe a property does not meet the conditions set out in § 6-93 can raise the issue with the Westfield building department 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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