Short-Term Rentals in Chelsea, MA (2026)
5 verified short-term rentals rules for Chelsea, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Anyone offering a short-term rental in Chelsea must register with the inspectional services department under Code of Ordinances § 6-5(f), pay a $200 annual fee, and pass an ISD inspection for a certificate of occupancy before listing. Registration runs January 1 through December 31 and does not transfer with a sale.
Chelsea Short-Term Rental Registration Rule
Significant RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances § 6-5
(f)Short-term rental registration process and fee.(1)An operator who wishes to offer a residential unit as a short-term rental shall register with ISD on a form prescribed by ISD to be listed on the short-term rental registry. A registration shall be valid for a one-year term, from January 1 through December 31 of each year.(2)The annual registration fee shall be $200.00 per short-term rental u...
Taxes & Fees
Chelsea requires every eligible short-term rental to register annually with the Inspectional Services Department and pay a $200 registration fee per unit, valid January 1 through December 31 under Code of Ordinances Section 6-5(f). Registered units also owe the local room occupancy excise tax on short-term rentals adopted by the city council under M.G.L. c. 64G, Sections 3A and 3D, layered on top of the city fee.
Chelsea Short-Term Rental Registration Fee and Tax
Some RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances § 6-5(f), (g), (h)(1)
(f)Short-term rental registration process and fee.(1)An operator who wishes to offer a residential unit as a short-term rental shall register with ISD on a form prescribed by ISD to be listed on the short-term rental registry. A registration shall be valid for a one-year term, from January 1 through December 31 of each year.(2)The annual registration fee shall be $200.00 per short-term rental u...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Chelsea's Short-Term Rental Application and Chapter 34 Zoning Ordinance do not impose a separate, additional off-street parking minimum on short-term rentals beyond the off-street parking already required for the underlying residential dwelling. Because Chelsea is a dense urban city with a citywide residential parking sticker program, STR guests generally cannot use on-street resident-only spaces.
STR Parking Rules in Chelsea
Some RestrictionsM.G.L. c. 40A, § 3
cidental purpose of operating a child care facility; provided, however, that such land or structures may be subject to reasonable regulations concerning the bulk and height of structures and determining yard sizes, lot area, setbacks, open space, parking and building coverage requirements. As used in this paragraph, the term ''child care facility'' shall mean a child care center or a school-age...
Occupancy Limits
Chelsea caps short-term rental occupancy at two people per bedroom under Code of Ordinances § 6-5(c)(2), though children under 12 related to or wards of an adult occupant don't count toward the limit. Short-term rentals are allowed only in a host's own limited-share room or a qualifying owner-adjacent unit.
Chelsea Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limit
Some RestrictionsChelsea Code of Ordinances § 6-5
Limited share unit means a residential unit that is the owner-occupied unit of an operator, a portion of which is offered as a short-term rental, but only while the operator is present. One bedroom must be reserved for the operator. And, no more than three bedrooms may be utilized for the short-term rental. ... (c)Short term rentals allowed in Chelsea.(1)Short-term rentals shall be allowed only...
Insurance Requirements
Massachusetts law requires every short-term rental operator to maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance covering each rental, under MGL c. 175 §4F (added by Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2018). The hosting platform's coverage may satisfy the requirement if it meets or exceeds the $1M minimum and defends the operator and any tenants/owners in the building. Chelsea enforces this state mandate through its STR registration program.
STR Insurance Requirements in Chelsea
Heavy RestrictionsMGL c. 175, § 4F
Section 4F. (a) As used in this section, the terms ''hosting platform'', ''operator'' and ''short-term rental'' shall have the same meanings as under section 1 of chapter 64G unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (b) An operator shall maintain liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 to cover each short-term rental, unless such short-term rental is offered through a hosting plat...