Boston distinguishes Home Share (host present during stay) from Owner-Occupied (host absent up to limited days) registrations. Home Share has fewer restrictions; Owner-Occupied entire-unit rentals face stricter night caps and inspection requirements.
Under Boston Ord. 12-9.1, a Home Share Unit is rented while the host is physically present in the dwelling, typically a spare bedroom. An Owner-Occupied Unit allows the entire unit to be rented when the host is away, but only if the host actually lives there as their primary residence. Home Share registrations carry a lower annual fee and avoid certain inspection triggers. Owner-Occupied units must comply with full life-safety inspection, smoke detector standards under MA 527 CMR 1, and unit-specific occupancy caps tied to bedroom count.
Renting an entire unit while away without an Owner-Occupied license, or claiming Home Share status while absent, violates the ordinance and voids platform listing rights.
Boston, MA
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Boston, MA
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See how Boston's host presence rule rules stack up against other locations.
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