Occupancy Limits: Bellingham vs Brookline

Who enforces occupancy limits rules in Norfolk County?

Norfolk County's code enforcement division is responsible for short term-rentals ordinances. You can report violations or request information through the Norfolk County government website or by calling the main municipal line.

What are typical penalties for violating occupancy limits rules?

Most Norfolk County short term-rentals violations start with a written warning followed by escalating civil fines for repeat offenses. Specific dollar amounts and any criminal-misdemeanor exposure depend on the section of code; consult Norfolk County's municipal code or staff for the current penalty schedule.

How many guests can stay overnight in a Brookline short-term rental?

Article 17 caps overnight occupancy at 2 guests per bedroom up to 8 guests total, including any long-term renters on the property. A 3-bedroom unit is capped at 6 guests, a 4-bedroom unit hits the overall ceiling at 8 guests.

Do small bedrooms count toward Brookline's STR occupancy limit?

Only rooms that meet 780 CMR (State Building Code) and 105 CMR 410 (State Sanitary Code) sleeping-room standards for area, ceiling height, ventilation, light, life-safety devices, and egress count as bedrooms for the 2-per-bedroom calculation. The Town inspection that precedes the Certificate of Registration verifies which rooms qualify.