Parking Rules: Boston vs Chelsea
How do parking rules rules compare between Boston, MA and Chelsea, MA?
Chelsea has fewer restrictions than Boston.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
Boston short-term rental operators cannot guarantee on-street parking and cannot rent residential permit parking spaces to guests. STR permits require disclosure of available off-street parking.
View full Boston rules →Chelsea, MA
Suffolk County
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.
View full Chelsea rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Ordinance | Boston STR Ordinance (2019) | - |
| Enforcement | Inspectional Services Department | - |
| Resident Permit Transfer | Prohibited | - |
| Disclosure Required | Yes, in listing | - |
| STR-Specific Parking Min | - | Not specified on STR Application |
| Underlying Dwelling Parking | - | Per Chapter 34 zoning district |
| On-Street Resident Stickers | - | Article 13 / Section 13-4.2 |
| Guest Parking | - | Off-street, paid lots, or unrestricted streets |
| STR Registration Fine | - | $300/violation/day |
| ISD Contact | - | 617-466-4142 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
Chelsea FAQ
How many off-street parking spaces does Chelsea require for a short-term rental?
Chelsea's published Short-Term Rental Application does not impose a separate per-guest off-street parking minimum. The host dwelling must still meet the off-street parking minimums set for its zoning district in Chapter 34 of the Chelsea Code. Confirm the exact district requirement with Permitting and Land Use Planning at 617-466-4180.
Can my Airbnb guests park on the street in Chelsea?
Many Chelsea streets are restricted to resident-sticker holders under the citywide Residential Parking Program (Article 13, Section 13-4.2). Resident stickers are tied to Chelsea residency and vehicle registration, so short-term guests generally cannot use them. Direct guests to your off-street spaces, paid lots, or any unrestricted public street.
Who do I call about Chelsea STR parking questions?
Inspectional Services (617-466-4142) handles STR registration, Permitting and Land Use Planning (617-466-4180) handles zoning and off-street parking minimums, and the Traffic and Parking Commission (chelseama.gov) handles on-street resident parking rules.
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