Westford, Mass., Bd. of Health Transient Lodging Regs (2026) § 1
License
Operative Text
1.1 No person shall operate a Transient Lodging in the Town of Westford without a valid license issued by the Board of Health. 1.2 Licenses shall expire on December 31 of each year, unless sooner revoked, and shall be non-transferable. 1.3 Fees shall be set according to the current Board of Health Schedule of Fees. 1.4 Applications shall be on submitted on a form provided by the Board of Health, and shall include at least the following: the name, address and phone number of the owner; the location of the Transient Lodging; the type of lodging, the number of rooms, a description of each room including the square footage, the number of beds, and whether they have kitchens; and the name of a manager or other emergency contact who can be reached at all times, twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week, 365 days per year in case of emergency. 1.5 The application shall include a floor plan showing each room, common area, means of egress and other pertinent features. 1.6 The application shall include a certification from the Town of Westford Fire and Building Departments, certifying that the proposed facility complies with all laws and regulations within their respective jurisdictions, including but not limited to the Town of Westford Zoning Bylaw. 1.7 Upon receipt of a completed application for an initial license, the Board will conduct a public hearing. The applicant will be provided with at least seven (7) days’ written notice of the date, time and location of the hearing, and notice will be published in a newspaper of a general circulation in the Town, once, at least seven (7) but no more than (14) days prior to the hearing. 1.8 Transient Lodgings existing prior to the effective date of this Regulation shall submit a completed license application within sixty (60) days of the effective date of this Regulation. 1.9 Once a license is issued, there shall be no changes to the floor plan of the facility, the configuration or number of guest rooms, or the type of Transient Lodging operated without approval of the Board of Health through an amendment of the license. The owner/operator shall promptly notify the Board of any change in Manager. Licenses are not transferrable to any other person or property. 1.10 Unless revoked, licenses may be renewed annually without a public hearing or newspaper notice, provided that the owner/operator submits a timely application for renewal and there have been no changes in circumstance from the circumstances described in the original application. 1.11 Notwithstanding the issuance of a license by the Board of Health, persons operating hotels, inns and lodging houses shall also obtain a license from the Select Board.
Sections 1.1 through 1.11 of the Westford Board of Health Transient Lodging Regulations establish a mandatory licensing framework for anyone operating a transient lodging—such as a hotel, inn, or short-term rental—within the Town of Westford, effective July 1, 2026. No transient lodging may legally operate without a valid Board of Health license, which expires each December 31, cannot be transferred to another person or property, and requires a fee set by the Board's Schedule of Fees. Initial licenses require a public hearing, detailed application materials, and certifications from the Fire and Building Departments, while annual renewals can proceed without a hearing if circumstances remain unchanged. Operators of hotels, inns, and lodging houses must also hold a separate license from the Select Board, independent of the Board of Health license.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Sections 1.1–1.11 of the Westford Board of Health Transient Lodging Regulations, compliant operators obtain a Board of Health license before beginning operations and submit renewal applications each year before the December 31 expiration date. A complete initial application typically includes detailed room-by-room information, a floor plan, a 24/7 emergency contact, and certifications from the Town's Fire and Building Departments confirming compliance with applicable laws including the Zoning Bylaw. Operators also seek Board approval before making any changes to floor plans, room configurations, or lodging type, and promptly notify the Board of any change in manager. Those running hotels, inns, or lodging houses should be aware that Section 1.11 requires an additional license from the Select Board alongside the Board of Health license.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Sections 1.1–1.11 of the Westford Board of Health Transient Lodging Regulations give members of the public a basis to verify that any transient lodging they use in Westford holds a current, valid Board of Health license. Because licenses are non-transferable and expire annually, guests can inquire with the Westford Board of Health about whether a facility's license is active and in good standing. If a lodging appears to be operating without a valid license, or has undergone changes not approved by the Board, that information can be reported to the Westford Board of Health for review. Tenant-rights organizations or local legal aid resources can help individuals understand what remedies or protections may be available under these regulations.
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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