Somerville does not impose a fixed annual night cap on owner-occupied STRs, but non-owner-occupied STRs face significant restrictions that effectively limit commercial STR activity.
Unlike Boston or Cambridge, Somerville has not enacted a specific annual night cap (such as 90 or 120 nights) on owner-occupied short-term rentals. Instead, Somerville regulates primarily through owner-occupancy requirements: rentals are generally restricted to a host's primary residence, which naturally limits rental frequency because the owner must live there. Non-owner-occupied STRs face substantial zoning restrictions and may be prohibited in most residential zones. Somerville periodically reviews STR regulations and may add nightly caps in the future. Operators should monitor ordinance updates. Condominium associations and landlord leases may impose their own stricter limits, including complete bans, which are enforceable independent of city rules. Multi-family building operators should also confirm that each unit complies with the Somerville ordinance and any condo or HOA documents.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle night caps.
See how Somerville's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
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