Massachusetts does not impose a statewide cap on STR nights, but Lowell may limit non-owner-occupied rentals through zoning, and the state law defines STRs as stays of 31 nights or less.
Unlike Boston and Cambridge, which impose strict night caps and owner-occupancy requirements, Lowell does not currently cap the number of nights a short-term rental can operate per year by blanket ordinance. However, state law defines short-term rentals as rentals of 31 consecutive days or less; any stay of 32+ nights falls outside STR regulation and room occupancy excise. Lowell zoning may effectively limit operation by requiring a special permit for non-owner-occupied STRs in residential districts, and the Zoning Board of Appeals may condition such permits with night or occupancy limits. Operators should monitor the Lowell City Council agenda for any proposed STR regulation, as Massachusetts municipalities have increasingly adopted caps and registration schemes. Any future local cap would layer on top of state registration and taxation obligations.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(1)-(4) declares unlawful any unnecessary motor noise (backfiring, racing, tire-screeching), improper horn/signaling-device use, di...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-3 sets a full district-by-time dBA table (residential 40-50 dB(A), industrial up to 70 dB(A) daytime), measured at the property bound...
Lowell, MA
Lowell restricts gas-powered leaf blower use to daytime hours; no outright ban exists, but decibel and hour limits apply under the general noise ordinance.
Lowell, MA
Outdoor music at restaurants, breweries, and event venues in Lowell requires an entertainment license and must end by 10 p.m. in residential zones.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Chapter 204, Section 204-3 sets district-based dBA limits keyed to time of day. In single- and two-family residential districts the limit drops t...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(12) makes it unlawful to operate any radio, stereo, loudspeaker, instrument or other sound-reproducing device so as to disturb a r...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle night caps.
See how Lowell's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.