Fall River's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Fall River, Massachusetts, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Occupancy Limits

Fall River adopted Ordinance No. 2025-07 (codified in Chapter 86 of the City Code via eCode360) to regulate short-term rentals. The local rule caps each STR at a maximum of eight (8) guests, or two (2) guests per bedroom, whichever is less, and prohibits renting separate bedrooms to different parties. State sleeping-room minimums under 105 CMR 410 also apply.

Key details: Local STR Ord.: No. 2025-07 (Ch. 86). Max Guests: 8 total. Per-Bedroom: 2 guests/bedroom. State Registry: MGL c.64G + c.62C §67. Sanitary Code: 105 CMR 410.

Exceeding the eight-guest ceiling or the two-per-bedroom formula in Ordinance 2025-07 exposes the operator to enforcement by Fall River's Department of Inspectional Services, including license suspension or revocation, civil fines, and orders to vacate. Operators who run an unregistered STR are also subject to MGL c.62C, §67 penalties and platform delisting under MGL c.64G, §13. Violations of 105 CMR 410 sleeping-room standards generate housing-code citations.

Compared to other cities, Fall River takes a harder line on occupancy limits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Insurance Requirements

Fall River STR operators must carry property liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. The figure mirrors the statewide mandate in MGL c.175, §4F (added by Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2018), which requires every short-term rental operator to maintain $1M in liability coverage per stay unless the booking platform provides equal or greater coverage. Proof of insurance must be submitted to Fall River Inspectional Services as part of registration.

Key details: Statute: MGL c.175 §4F. Local Ord.: No. 2025-07. Minimum Coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence. Platform Carve-Out: Equal/greater platform coverage OK. Filed With: Fall River Inspectional Services.

Operating an STR in Fall River without the $1,000,000 liability coverage required by MGL c.175, §4F and Ordinance 2025-07 is a violation of both the state STR law and the local ordinance. Inspectional Services may suspend or revoke the local registration, the Department of Revenue may revoke the state STR Certificate of Registration under MGL c.64G, §6, and platforms are required to delist non-compliant operators. Civil exposure for an uninsured incident at the rental falls personally on the operator.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fall River actively enforces its insurance requirements requirements.

Permit Requirements

Fall River has been in the process of formalizing local short-term rental regulations. The City Council gave initial approval to an ordinance legalizing residential STRs with registration requirements. All MA hosts must register with the Department of Revenue via MassTaxConnect regardless of local rules.

Key details: Local Status: Ordinance in development — registration required. State Registration: MassTaxConnect required. Insurance: $1M liability required (state law). Zoning: Must comply with local zoning/safety.

Unregistered STR: state fines + back taxes. Operating without local license: $100 to $300/day. Insurance non-compliance: immediate suspension.

Noise Rules

Short-term rental guests in Fall River must comply with the city's noise ordinance. Quiet hours of 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays and 10 PM to 8 AM Sundays apply to all properties including STRs. Hosts are responsible for ensuring guest compliance.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10 PM–7 AM weekdays, 10 PM–8 AM Sundays. Host Responsibility: Ensure guest compliance. State Standard: 310 CMR 7.10 applies. Enforcement: Fall River PD.

Noise violation at STR: $100 to $500. Multiple complaints: license suspension/revocation. Host responsible for guest behavior.

Parking Rules

Short-term rental properties in Fall River must comply with the city's general parking regulations. The proposed STR ordinance requires compliance with local zoning, which includes off-street parking requirements under Ch. 86 of the zoning code.

Key details: Zoning Compliance: Off-street parking per Ch. 86 required. Street Parking: Standard city parking rules apply. Winter Ban: $65 fine during snow parking ban. Host Responsibility: Inform guests of parking rules.

Parking plan non-compliance may affect STR license renewal. Street parking violations: standard municipal fines. Winter ban: towing.

Taxes & Fees

Massachusetts imposes a 5.7% state room occupancy excise tax on short-term rentals under MGL Ch. 64G. Municipalities may add a local option tax up to 6% plus a community impact fee up to 3%. Fall River STR operators must register with MassTaxConnect and remit all applicable taxes.

Key details: State Tax: 5.7% room occupancy excise. Local Option: Up to 6% additional. Community Impact Fee: Up to 3% for professionally managed. Registration: MassTaxConnect required.

Non-remittance: back taxes + penalties + interest. MA DOR audit authority. Willful evasion: criminal charges.

The Bottom Line

Fall River is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Fall River, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Fall River can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.