Short-Term Rentals in Newton, MA (2026)

8 verified short-term rentals rules for Newton, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Short-Term Rental Permits

Newton bars anyone from offering a short-term rental unless the operator registers with the Inspectional Services Department under Sec. 20-161/20-162, submitting a state registration certificate, sworn affidavit, smoke/CO compliance certificate, house rules, and a fee before the first booking.

Newton Short-Term Rental Registration

Significant Restrictions

Newton, MA Code of Ordinances §§ 20-161(a), (b), 20-162

(a) Compliance. No Residential Unit shall be offered as a Short Term Rental except in compliance with the provisions of this article. (b) Registration. Operators of any Short Term Rental located in the City of Newton must register with the City in accordance with Sec. 20-162 of this article. ... Operators must register with the Inspectional Services Department prior to the occupancy of any Shor...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Newton's short-term rental ordinance bars any listing from disrupting the peace, tranquility, or safety of its residential neighborhood through noise beyond what normally occurs in that area, and it requires every Operator's written house rules to specifically address noise control, including use of audio equipment that could disturb neighbors, under Code of Ordinances Section 20-164.

Newton Short-Term Rental Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

Newton Code of Ordinances § 20-164(b), (j)(1)(i)

(b) No Nuisance. Short Terms Rentals shall not result in the disruption of the peace, tranquility, or safety of the immediate residential neighborhood through the production of noise, vibration, light, glare, trash, fumes, odors, traffic, parking congestion, or any other nuisance beyond that which normally occurs in the immediate residential area. ... (j) House Rules. ... 1) House rules must ma...

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Taxes & Fees

Newton charges short-term rental operators a $100 city registration filing fee set by the city council, on top of any inspection fees, such as the Fire Department's smoke and carbon monoxide inspection charge, paid separately and directly to the inspecting department.

Newton Short-Term Rental Fees

Some Restrictions

Newton, MA Code of Ordinances §§ 20-162(e), 20-162(c)

(e) Registration Filing Fee. At the time of registration, Operators must pay a filing fee of $100, an amount established by the City Council. All applicable inspection fees shall be paid directly to the inspecting department at the time of inspection. ... Operators shall be responsible for the smoke detector inspection/permit fee to be paid directly to the Fire Department as set forth in Sec. 1...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Newton requires every short-term rental's written house rules to spell out where guests may park on the property and to explain the City's neighborhood parking regulations and restrictions, under Code of Ordinances Section 20-164(j)(1). The rule folds into the ordinance's broader ban on parking congestion as a neighborhood nuisance.

Newton Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Some Restrictions

Newton Code of Ordinances § 20-164(j)(1)(iv)-(v)

(j) House Rules. Operators shall institute house rules to prevent the Short Term Rental from being a cause of complaint to the Police Department or a cause of nuisance or annoyance to the neighbors or neighborhood. 1) House rules must make occupants aware of the City's ordinances and the Operator's policies, which shall be in writing. At a minimum, house rules shall adequately address the follo...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Newton's Zoning Ordinance caps every short-term rental at three rented bedrooms and nine overnight guests, city-wide, no matter how large the house is. Zoning Ordinance Section 6.7.5.C.6, part of the accessory-use standards for short-term rentals, sets both numbers as hard limits enforced alongside the City's separate registration ordinance.

Newton Short-Term Rental Occupancy Caps

Some Restrictions

Newton Zoning Ordinance § 6.7.5.C.6

6. The maximum number of bedrooms on the site that can be rented to overnight or short-term guests is 3 and the maximum number of guests is 9.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Massachusetts law requires STR operators to maintain at least 1 million dollars in liability insurance per MGL c.64G s.14, covering each rental transaction in Newton.

Newton STR Insurance Requirements

Heavy Restrictions

MGL Chapter 64G, Section 14

Section 14. A city or town, by ordinance or by-law, may regulate operators registered pursuant to section 67 of chapter 62C and impose penalties for the violation of such an ordinance or by-law. A city or town, by ordinance or by-law, may: (i) regulate the existence or location of operators under this section within the city or town, including regulating the class of operators and number of loc...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Newton only allows a property owner, or an indirect owner such as a trust beneficiary or majority LLC member, to run a short-term rental if they personally live in that dwelling unit at least 9 of the 12 months in every calendar year, proven with two forms of documentation.

Newton STR Owner-Occupancy Rule

Significant Restrictions

Newton, MA Code of Ordinances § 20-162(g)

(g) Proof of Residence. A property owner or indirect property owner must reside in the dwelling unit operated as a Short Term Rental for a minimum of 9 out of 12 months during each calendar year. Indirect ownership includes but is not limited to a beneficiary of a trust holding record title to the property and a majority owner of the voting stock of a corporation or the membership units of a li...

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Repeat Violator Strikes

A Newton property that racks up three violation notices in any twelve-month period, whether under the short-term rental article, another municipal ordinance, state law, or the building code, loses the right to operate any residential unit on-site as a short-term rental for six months.

Newton STR Repeat-Violation Ban

Heavy Restrictions

Newton, MA Code of Ordinances § 20-161(d)

Three or More Violations in a Twelve Month Period. Should a property receive three or more violation notices within any twelve month period under this article, or of any municipal ordinance, state law, or building code, any residential unit within the property shall be ineligible to be used as a Short Term Rental for a period of six months from the third or subsequent violation.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗