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Springfield, MA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Applies to
Limited share (room) rentals
Requirement
One bedroom reserved for operator
Enforcement fine
$300 per violation per day
Chapter adopted
Oct. 5, 2020

Summary

Springfield's short-term rental ordinance requires operators renting out a bedroom in their own home to stay on site: a limited share unit must keep one bedroom reserved for, and continuously occupied by, the operator during the rental.

LIMITED SHARE UNIT: A residential unit that is the operator's primary residence, a portion of which is offered as a short-term rental while the operator is present. One bedroom must be reserved for the operator.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).

Full Breakdown

Under Chapter 238 of the Springfield, Massachusetts, General Code, a residential unit offered as a short-term rental must qualify as a home share, limited share, or owner-adjacent unit. A limited share unit is defined as a portion of the operator's primary residence rented out short-term while the operator is present, with one bedroom kept reserved for the operator. This distinguishes room-rental listings from whole-unit rentals and is enforced by Springfield's Code Enforcement Department alongside the chapter's registration and inspection requirements.

Violations & Fines

Renting rooms as a limited share unit without keeping the operator on site breaches the unit's eligibility and exposes the operator to the chapter's $300-per-violation-per-day fine and registration suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent my whole Springfield house on Airbnb without living there?
Only as a home share or owner-adjacent unit meeting separate primary-residence rules; a limited share (room) rental requires the operator to remain on site.
What does "operator present" mean under Chapter 238?
One bedroom in the unit must be reserved for, and occupied by, the operator throughout the entire short-term rental.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Springfield

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSignificant RestrictionsShort-Term Rental PermitsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSignificant RestrictionsRepeat Violator StrikesSignificant RestrictionsOccupancy LimitsSome RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsHost Platform LiabilitySignificant RestrictionsPrimary-Residence-Only RuleSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental Parking RulesSome RestrictionsExtended Home ShareSome RestrictionsNoise RulesSignificant RestrictionsNight CapsSignificant RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Springfield rules

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