6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Bristol County, Massachusetts.
Verified from official government sources
Bristol County does not impose county-level STR registration. All Massachusetts STR operators must register with the Department of Revenue via MassTaxConnect under MGL Ch. 64G. Individual towns may adopt their own STR ordinances with additional requirements.
STR guests in Bristol County must comply with applicable town noise ordinances and state noise regulations. The MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10 standard applies countywide. Individual towns may have specific quiet hours and nuisance provisions.
Massachusetts imposes a 5.7% state room occupancy excise tax on all short-term rentals under MGL Ch. 64G. Towns in Bristol County may impose additional local option taxes up to 6% plus a community impact fee up to 3%. All operators must register with MassTaxConnect.
STR parking requirements in Bristol County are governed by individual town zoning ordinances and parking regulations. Each municipality sets its own off-street parking requirements. Snow emergency parking bans are declared at the municipal level.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40A, § 3 – Subjects which zoning may not regulate
accessory dwelling unit, or the rental thereof, in a single-family residential zoning district; provided, that the use of land or structures for such accessory dwelling unit under this paragraph may be subject to reasonable regulations, including, but not limited to, 310 CMR 15.000 et seq., if applicable, site plan review, regulations concerning dimensional setbacks and the bulk and height of s...
STR occupancy in Bristol County follows 105 CMR 410 Sanitary Code minimum square-footage rules (150 sq ft first occupant + 100 sq ft each additional). Local STR ordinances often cap at 2 per bedroom plus 2. New Bedford and Fall River enforce via complaint.
Massachusetts STR law MGL ch. 64G §15 requires hosts to carry minimum $1,000,000 liability insurance. Platform-provided coverage (Airbnb AirCover, Vrbo) satisfies requirement if it meets the $1M floor. Proof required at DOR registration.
MGL c. 64G §14 — Regulation of short-term rental operators by cities or towns
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...
4 cities in Bristol County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Bristol County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Bristol County Ordinance Hub →