Medford, MA Short-Term Rentals: Extended Home Share (2026)

Section 94-8.4.5 of the Revised Ordinances splits short-term rental availability into two categories depending on whether the operator stays on site. Subsection (1) covers the "shared residential unit" track: "An operator may offer bedrooms within their residential unit as a short term rental 365 days per year," with no annual day cap, unlike the 90-day aggregate limit Section 94-8.4.5(2) places on renting out an entire unoccupied unit. That year-round allowance depends on the operator's continued presence, which subsection (1) enforces by requiring that one bedroom in the unit "be reserved for, and occupied by, the operator during the entire term of the rental." The shared-unit track sits on top of the other Section 94-8.4.4 requirements: the property still has to be the operator's primary residence, the total guest count is capped at six or two per bedroom, only one party can book at a time, and the unit needs its $200 annual registration under Section 94-8.4.13 and posted notices about parking, noise, waste disposal and emergency contacts under Section 94-8.4.10. Renting a room for under ten consecutive hours or by the hour is still barred by Section 94-8.4.6.