Everett, MA Short-Term Rentals: Host Platform Liability (2026)

Section 12-1018(a)(1) of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, Massachusetts (Middlesex County) puts booking platforms in the same penalty line as hosts. Any person who offers a unit as a short-term rental, or any booking agent who accepts a fee for booking one, without first receiving a license from the building commissioner can be fined up to $300 per violation per day under Section 1-8. Each day's failure to comply with a notice of violation or other order is a separate violation, and the building commissioner can also seek a court injunction against offering the unit.

Section 12-1012 defines a booking agent as any person or entity that facilitates reservations or collects payment for a short-term rental on behalf of or for an operator. That covers platforms and managers that only take payment.

Other duties are spelled out in the division. Section 12-1019(b) says that, upon demand by the city, the booking agent shall remove a listing from its platform for violation of the division. Section 12-1014(j)(2) says the booking agent shall permit an operator to include the registration number issued by the building commissioner on any listing. Section 12-1014(j)(5) puts the display duty on the operator: any listing made with any booking agent or on any website must prominently display proof of current registration and receipt of a certificate of fitness within the prior twelve (12) months.

Booking agents can also deal with the city directly. Section 12-1015(g) lets a booking agent enter into an agreement with the city to provide registration services for operators in bulk, and Section 12-1016(b) lets a booking agent agree with the city to collect and remit the room occupancy tax. Without such an agreement, Section 12-1016(c) leaves the operator solely responsible for collecting and remitting the tax.