Westwood, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 330 § 330-9
Submittal Requirements (Westwood Short-Term Rental)
Operative Text
In connection with an application for a Certificate of Registration, the operator shall provide to the Town Planner all documentation that the Town Planner shall require, which shall include, but not be limited to: A. An Initial Application Fee of two hundred and fifty ($250.00) per Short Term Rental Unit, or Renewal Application Fee of two hundred and fifty ($250.00) per Short Term Rental Unit, or Modification Application Fee of one hundred ($100.00) per Short Term Rental Unit, as applicable. B. Proof of Primary Residence by the STR Operator in the form of an affidavit provided by the Town and signed by the STR Operator. C. In a case where the STR Unit is subject to restriction by a homeowners association, a certification signed by the officially designated representative of the homeowners association, stating that the Master Deed, Bylaws, or other governing documents expressly permit the proposed STR. D. Floor plan of the STR property, clearly indicating the specific room or rooms to be offered as the STR Unit. The floor plan shall identify each room by a numerical or alphabetical identifier. The floor plan may be sketched by hand, if the sketch is determined to be acceptable by the Town Planner, Building Commissioner and Health Director. The floor plan shall be legibly labelled with the numerical or alphabetical identifier and the use of each room (e.g., bedroom, living room, etc.). The floor plan shall identify the maximum occupancy for each bedroom and the maximum occupancy for the Short Term Rental Unit. E. A simple parking description of the residence which explains whether a sufficient number of off-street parking spaces to accommodate all persons inhabiting the property at maximum occupancy, at the rate of at least one (1) parking space per four (4) occupants. Notwithstanding the above, the Town Planner shall be authorized to reduce the minimum parking requirements in cases where the STR is located within one (1) mile of an MBTA Commuter Rail station or MBTA bus route. F. Local contact information for the STR Operator and at least one additional contact person who shall be reachable 24 hours a day in the absence of the STR Operator, including each person's name, address, email address, and active cell phone numbers. Either the STR Operator or the additional contact person shall respond in person, within two hours of contact by a Town official, to any issue or emergency that arises in association with a Short-Term Rental. G. Such other information and/or documentation as the Town Planner determines necessary and relevant.
Westwood, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 330 § 330-9 establishes what operators must submit when applying for, renewing, or modifying a Certificate of Registration for a Short-Term Rental (STR). Required materials include application fees, proof of primary residence, HOA approval where applicable, a labeled floor plan showing room uses and occupancy limits, a parking description, and 24/7 local contact information. The Town Planner holds authority to request additional documentation beyond what is explicitly listed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 330 § 330-9, compliant STR operators in Westwood generally assemble a complete application package before submitting to the Town Planner, which includes the correct fee ($250 for initial or renewal, $100 for modification, per unit), a signed primary-residence affidavit, an HOA certification if the property is governed by one, a legible floor plan with room identifiers and occupancy limits, a parking description, and full contact details for themselves and at least one backup contact reachable around the clock. That backup contact—or the operator—must be able to respond in person within two hours of a Town official's call. Operators near an MBTA Commuter Rail station or bus route may be eligible for reduced parking requirements at the Town Planner's discretion.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 330 § 330-9 requires that any STR in Westwood be registered with documentation confirming the operator's primary residence, HOA permission where relevant, and a floor plan that specifies the exact rooms and maximum occupancy being offered. Guests and neighbors can be aware that a registered STR must have a local contact reachable 24 hours a day who is obligated to respond in person within two hours of a Town official's contact. Those with concerns about an STR's compliance with these submittal requirements may contact the Westwood Town Planner's office 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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