Short-Term Rentals in Quincy, MA

If you live in Quincy or are thinking about moving there, short-term rentals are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Quincy has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Quincy, Massachusetts requires every short-term rental operator to register annually with the Department of Inspectional Services before renting a home-share, limited-share, or owner-adjacent unit, including fire and health inspections and a $100-per-day fine for noncompliance.

Key details: Registering agency: Dept. of Inspectional Services. Registration term: Jan. 1 - Dec. 31 annually. Pre-registration inspections: Fire safety + Health Dept.. Fine for unregistered rental: $100 per day. Ordinance added: Order No. 2020-125 (2021).

Renting without registering draws a $100-per-day civil fine per property, assessed by DIS; repeated violations can bar an operator from registering any property as a short-term rental.

Compared to other cities, Quincy takes a harder line on short-term rental permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Occupancy Limits

Quincy, Massachusetts caps short-term rental occupancy by unit type: home-share units allow up to three bedrooms and six guests, while limited-share units are capped at two bedrooms or four guests, with one bedroom reserved for the operator.

Key details: Home-share cap: 3 bedrooms / 6 guests. Limited-share cap: 2 bedrooms or 4 guests. Owner-adjacent units: 1 per operator, 2-3 family. Enforcing agency: Dept. of Inspectional Services.

Exceeding a unit's registered occupancy type or operating an unregistered unit can trigger civil fines of $100 to $200 per day and possible loss of registration privileges under § 196-14.

Taxes & Fees

Quincy, Massachusetts imposes a local community impact fee of up to 3% of total rent on short-term rentals, separate from the 6% room occupancy excise, adopted under M.G.L. c. 64G, § 3D(a) and (b).

Key details: Impact fee rate: Up to 3% of total rent. Enabling statute: M.G.L. c. 64G, § 3D(a)-(b). Adopted: Order Nos. 2020-127 & 2020-128. Effective: March 15, 2021.

The impact fee is collected alongside the room occupancy excise as part of the STR tax obligation under M.G.L. c. 64G; nonpayment is handled as a state tax collection matter, separate from DIS registration penalties.

The Bottom Line

Quincy's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Quincy is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Quincy's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.