Springfield, MA Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- ADUs may not be short-term rentals
- Citation
- Zoning § 4.7.123(B)(1)
- Cross-reference
- Short-term rental defined in Chapter 238
- Applies to
- Accessory dwelling units only
Summary
Springfield's zoning ordinance bars any accessory dwelling unit from being used as a short-term rental, cross-referencing the definition in the city's separate Chapter 238 short-term rental ordinance.
No ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT shall be used for short-term rentals, as defined in City Ordinance, Chapter 238.
2. The construction of an ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT must be in conformity with all State Building Codes, Title V of the State Sanitary Code (if applicable) and any and all other City bylaws/regulations and/or ordinances, including any and all dimensional setbacks for a dwelling unit.
3. The principal building and the ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT shall remain in common ownership. An ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT may not be sold separately from the principal building to which it is an accessory use.
4. No ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT shall be located on a parcel with less than 5,000 square feet, unless the parcel contains a structure that has been determined to be a legal, non-conforming use or one that has been authorized through a variance obtained from the City of Springfield's Zoning Board of Appeals.
5. An ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT must obtain a Certificate of
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Section 4.7.123 of Springfield's zoning ordinance flatly prohibits using an accessory dwelling unit for short-term rentals, defined by reference to the city's Chapter 238 short-term rental ordinance. The rule targets ADUs specifically -- it does not touch short-term renting of a principal dwelling, which is governed separately under Chapter 238's registration system. An ADU built under the Tier 1 Administrative Site Plan Review can be used for long-term housing, a family member's residence, or a standard rental, but listing it on a platform like Airbnb or Vrbo for stays meeting Chapter 238's short-term-rental definition violates the zoning ordinance itself, on top of any Chapter 238 requirements.
Violations & Fines
Renting a Springfield ADU short-term is a zoning violation under § 4.7.123, not just a Chapter 238 registration lapse. Fines run $100 for a first offense and $300 per repeat or continuing-day offense, plus possible injunctive action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my Springfield ADU on Airbnb?
Does the short-term rental ban apply to my main house too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
Compare Springfield to another location·View the Massachusetts accessory structures overview
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