Lowell STR occupancy is governed by the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410 which sets minimum square footage per occupant, combined with local fire code egress requirements.
Occupancy limits in Lowell short-term rentals follow the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code Chapter II (105 CMR 410), which requires at least 150 square feet of floor area for the first occupant and 100 additional square feet for each additional occupant in a dwelling unit, with sleeping rooms requiring 70 square feet for one person plus 50 square feet per additional occupant. Sleeping rooms must have two means of egress or an approved rescue window meeting the State Building Code and State Fire Code (527 CMR). Basement sleeping is restricted unless the space meets egress, ceiling height, and natural light standards. Operators should post the maximum overnight occupancy in the unit and in the listing. Exceeding occupancy limits creates code violations enforceable by Lowell Inspectional Services and the Lowell Fire Department and can void homeowner and STR liability coverage. Large gatherings beyond overnight occupancy are often restricted by platform policies and host rules.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Lowell, MA
Lowell applies the Massachusetts DEP 10-dB-above-ambient standard for objective measurement and uses a plainly-audible test for subjective enforcement.
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 enforces nighttime quiet hours that restrict unreasonable noise in residential areas, authorized under MGL c.40 s.21 and enforced by Lowell Police and...
Lowell, MA
Amplified music from homes, vehicles, or outdoor events in Lowell must not be plainly audible beyond 50 feet and is subject to permit rules for public venues.
Lowell, MA
Industrial operations in Lowell must keep noise within Massachusetts DEP guidelines and the local ordinance, with stricter limits at residential property lines.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Middlesex County.
See how other cities in Middlesex County handle occupancy limits.
See how Lowell's occupancy limits rules stack up against other locations.
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