Short-Term Rentals in Somerville, MA (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Somerville, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Somerville requires all short-term rentals (rentals under 32 days) to register with the city, comply with owner-occupancy requirements, and pay combined 11.7% state and local room occupancy taxes under MGL c.64G.
Somerville Short-Term Rental Permit Rules
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Rules
Somerville STR operators are responsible for guest noise under the noise ordinance, with quiet hours 11pm to 7am and escalating fines that can lead to permit revocation.
Somerville STR Noise Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Somerville STRs owe combined 11.7% room occupancy tax (5.7% state plus 6% local) under MGL c.64G, plus a 3% Community Impact Fee on pro-managed units and an annual registration fee.
Somerville STR Taxes and Fees
Heavy RestrictionsParking Rules
Somerville short-term rental guests cannot use resident-only permit parking, and STR operators must provide off-street parking or clearly disclose parking limitations, as the city has strict on-street permit enforcement.
Somerville STR Parking Rules
Heavy RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Somerville STR occupancy follows MA Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410 room-size standards, typically allowing two guests per bedroom plus additional occupants based on square footage.
Somerville STR Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsInsurance Requirements
MGL c.64G s.14 requires Somerville STR operators to carry at least $1 million in liability insurance per stay, either directly or through platform-provided coverage.
Somerville STR Insurance Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsM.G.L. c. 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...
Night Caps
Somerville does not impose a fixed annual night cap on owner-occupied STRs, but non-owner-occupied STRs face significant restrictions that effectively limit commercial STR activity.
Somerville STR Night Caps
Heavy RestrictionsRegistration Rules
Every Somerville STR must register annually with the city, pay a fee, pass a life-safety inspection, and register with the MA Department of Revenue for room occupancy tax.
Somerville STR Registration Rules
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Middlesex County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Somerville city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Middlesex County →