How Weymouth Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Weymouth maintains 40 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Weymouth falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Insurance Requirements

Massachusetts state law preempts STR insurance for Weymouth. MGL c.175, §4F (added by Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2018) requires every short-term rental operator in Weymouth to maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance per stay, unless the booking platform provides equal or greater coverage. Weymouth's Chapter 120 Zoning Ordinance does not impose a separate local insurance requirement above the state floor.

Key details: Statute: MGL c.175 §4F. Enabling Act: Acts of 2018 c.337. Minimum Coverage: $1,000,000 per stay. Platform Carve-Out: Equal/greater platform coverage OK. Local Add-On: None in Weymouth Ch. 120.

Operating a short-term rental in Weymouth without the $1,000,000 liability coverage required by MGL c.175, §4F is a violation of the Massachusetts STR law. The Department of Revenue may revoke or refuse to issue the STR Certificate of Registration under MGL c.64G, §6, and platforms are required by MGL c.64G, §13 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. Weymouth actively enforces its insurance requirements requirements.

Occupancy Limits

The Town of Weymouth Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 120) does not adopt a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance and does not impose a numeric per-bedroom occupancy formula for STRs. The enforceable occupancy ceiling for a Weymouth STR is the maximum guest count declared on the operator's Massachusetts Department of Revenue STR Registry application under MGL c.64G, combined with the 105 CMR 410 sleeping-room minimums and the 780 CMR (Tenth Edition) bedroom-egress standards.

Key details: Local STR Code: None - Chapter 120 silent. Occupancy Cap: Per DOR registration. State Registry: MGL c.64G + c.62C §67. Sanitary Code: 105 CMR 410. Sleeping Room Min: 70 sf first + 50 sf each addl.

Exceeding the maximum occupancy declared on the DOR STR registration, or violating 105 CMR 410 sleeping-room standards, can result in DOR registration revocation, Town of Weymouth housing-code citations, and orders to vacate from the Department of Municipal Licenses and Inspections. Operating an unregistered STR is subject to MGL c.62C, §67 penalties and platform delisting under MGL c.64G, §13. Where four or more unrelated lodgers occupy the unit without a lodging-house license, MGL c.140 penalties apply.

Noise Rules

Short-term rental guests in Weymouth are subject to the same noise regulations as residents under the Code of Ordinances. No separate STR quiet hours exist; general nuisance provisions and the $50 default fine apply.

Key details: Noise Code: General Code Ch. 13 — applies to all occupants. Fine: $50/day (default). Insurance Required: $1M liability (state law). Topic: Noise Rules.

$50/day default noncriminal fine under Chapter 13.

Taxes & Fees

Weymouth STR operators must collect and remit the Massachusetts state room occupancy excise (5.7%) plus any applicable local option tax under MGL c. 64G. State DOR registration and $1 million liability insurance are mandatory.

Key details: State Tax: 5.7% room occupancy excise (MGL c. 64G). Local Option: Up to 6% additional. Insurance: $1M per occurrence (state law). DOR Registration: Required via MassTaxConnect before operating.

Failure to register with DOR or remit taxes subjects operators to state tax penalties and interest.

Parking Rules

STR guests in Weymouth must comply with the town's general parking ordinances. No all-night parking is allowed on any Weymouth street between 12:01 AM and 7:00 AM (Code §13-103(g)). Hosts should inform guests of this ban.

Key details: Overnight Ban: No street parking 12:01 AM–7:00 AM (§13-103(g)). STR-Specific Rules: None — general rules apply. Enforcement: Weymouth Police: (781) 335-1212. Topic: Parking Rules.

Overnight parking violations subject to ticketing.

Permit Requirements

No Weymouth-specific STR ordinance was found in published code. State law (MGL c. 64G) requires all MA STR operators to register with the MA Department of Revenue before operating. Weymouth zoning regulations govern land use for STRs. Operators should contact the Building Department to confirm local requirements.

Key details: Local STR Ordinance: None found — state law applies. State Registration: DOR via MassTaxConnect — required. State Penalty: $100/violation, up to $1,000/year. Building Dept.: (781) 335-2000 — confirm zoning eligibility.

State non-registration penalty: $100 per violation, up to $1,000/year (MGL c. 64G).

The Bottom Line

Weymouth'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 Weymouth is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Weymouth's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.