Occupancy Limits: Boston vs Chelsea
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Boston, MA and Chelsea, MA?
Boston and Chelsea have similar restriction levels.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
Boston STR occupancy is capped at two adults per bedroom plus two additional adults per unit under building code, and fire code Means of Egress Ch. 10 governs maximum assembly counts.
View full Boston rules →Chelsea, MA
Suffolk County
Chelsea's Short-Term Rental Application caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom (children under 12 related to or the legal ward of a bedroom occupant are not counted) and limits Limited-Share Units to a maximum of 3 bedrooms offered, with one bedroom reserved for the operator. Owner-Adjacent Units must be rented as a whole to a single party.
View full Chelsea rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| Rule of Thumb | 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 | - |
| State Code | 105 CMR 410 | - |
| Posting | Required in unit | - |
| Party Rentals | Prohibited | - |
| Per-Bedroom Cap | - | 2 persons per bedroom |
| Children Exemption | - | Under 12 (related/ward) not counted |
| Limited-Share Max Bedrooms | - | 3 (operator must keep 1) |
| Owner-Adjacent Units | - | Whole-unit, one party only |
| Owner Presence | - | Required for Limited-Share |
| Daily Violation Fine | - | $300/day |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
Chelsea FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Chelsea short-term rental?
The Chelsea Short-Term Rental Application caps occupancy at two persons per bedroom. A 2-bedroom rental is limited to 4 guests. Children under 12 who are related to, or the legal ward of, either bedroom occupant are not counted toward the limit.
Can I rent out my whole house in Chelsea on Airbnb when I am away?
Generally no. Chelsea only allows Limited-Share Units (you must be present, with one bedroom reserved for you and no more than 3 bedrooms offered) and Owner-Adjacent Units (a separate unit inside your owner-occupied 2- or 3-family home or condo). Standalone whole-unit absentee rentals are not permitted.
What happens if I exceed the Chelsea STR occupancy cap?
Each violation is fined $300 per day under the STR ordinance, enforced by Inspectional Services (617-466-4142). Three or more noise, trash, or disorderly conduct violations within one year also disqualify the operator from registering or re-registering the unit.
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