Short-Term Rentals in Revere, MA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Revere 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. Revere has 6 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Occupancy Limits

Revere Code Chapter 8.09 (Short-Term Rentals, adopted August 24, 2020) caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom up to a maximum of six people total, exclusive of children under age 12. Only entire residential units owned by an operator who maintains a Revere primary residence may be rented; rooms or partial units are prohibited.

Key details: Local STR Code: Revere Code Ch. 8.09 (Aug 24, 2020). Per-Bedroom Cap: 2 persons / bedroom. Total Cap: 6 guests max. Children Excluded: Under age 12. Unit Type: Entire unit only - no rooms.

Exceeding the two-per-bedroom or six-person cap, renting rooms rather than the entire unit, or operating an unregistered STR can result in registration revocation, fines, and orders to cease operation by the Office of Short Term Rental. Annual inspection failures by the Office of Short Term Rental or the Revere Fire Department Office of Fire Prevention prevent renewal. Listings on platforms must be delisted under MGL c.64G, §13 if state DOR registration is invalid.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Revere actively enforces its occupancy limits requirements.

Insurance Requirements

Massachusetts state law requires every short-term rental operator to maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance per stay under MGL c.175, §4F (added by the Acts of 2018, Chapter 337), unless the booking platform provides equal or greater coverage. Revere Code Chapter 8.09 layers a separate local requirement: a valid insurance binder of at least $250,000 per incident must be filed with the Office of Short Term Rental at registration.

Key details: State Statute: MGL c.175 §4F. State Enabling Act: Acts of 2018 c.337. State Minimum Coverage: $1,000,000 per stay. Platform Carve-Out: Equal/greater platform coverage OK. Local Binder Required: $250,000 per incident.

Operating without the $1,000,000 state coverage required by MGL c.175, §4F is a violation of state law; the Department of Revenue may revoke or refuse to issue the STR Certificate of Registration under MGL c.64G, §6 and platforms must delist non-compliant operators under MGL c.64G, §13. Failure to file the $250,000 local binder or maintain inspection compliance with Chapter 8.09 can lead to denial or revocation of Revere registration by the Office of Short Term Rental. Personal civil exposure for an uninsured incident falls on the operator.

This is one of the stricter rules in Revere's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Parking Rules

Revere's Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Revere Code Chapter 8.09, adopted by City Council August 24, 2020) does not impose a STR-specific parking ratio. Off-street parking for the dwelling unit is governed by Section 17.28 of the Revere Zoning Ordinance, which sets parking by district and use, and by Title 10 on-street rules administered by the Office of the Parking Clerk.

Key details: STR Code: Revere Code Ch. 8.09 (2020). Parking Standards: Zoning Sec. 17.28 (varies by district). Resident Sticker Program: Revere Code Ch. 10.34. STR-Specific Ratio: None in Ch. 8.09. Permit Authority: Office of the Parking Clerk.

Guest vehicles parked in posted resident-permit-only zones without a sticker are subject to citation and tow under Revere Code Chapter 10.34. Failure to provide the off-street parking required by Zoning Section 17.28 for the dwelling can be raised at the annual STR inspection and may delay registration renewal under Chapter 8.09.

Noise Rules

Revere STRs must comply with local noise bylaws. Hosts responsible for guest behavior. Complaints may trigger license review.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 11 PM to 8 AM typical. Parties: Generally prohibited. Response: Host must respond promptly. State Law: MGL c.64G authority.

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

Permit Requirements

Revere requires annual STR registration with a $300 fee through the Short-Term Rental Office. Only primary residences or units attached to one are eligible. Room-only rentals are prohibited.

Key details: Annual Fee: $300 per unit. Room Rentals: Prohibited. Eligibility: Primary residence only. Unregistered Fine: $300/day.

Unregistered STR fined $300/day after a brief warning period. The Short-Term Rental Office actively tracks down unregistered operations posted online.

This is one of the stricter rules in Revere's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Taxes & Fees

STRs in Revere are subject to Massachusetts state room occupancy excise tax (5.7% under MGL c. 64G) plus Revere's local option tax. State DOR registration required (Room Occupancy Consolidated tax via MassTaxConnect). $300 annual city registration fee applies in addition to taxes.

Key details: State Tax: 5.7% room occupancy excise (MGL c. 64G). Local Option: Up to 6% city option tax. City Fee: $300/year registration + $50 inspection. Insurance: $250,000 liability minimum per incident.

Failure to collect or remit taxes results in DOR enforcement. Non-compliance with insurance or record-keeping can result in registration revocation.

This is one of the stricter rules in Revere's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Revere is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Revere, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Revere'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.