Hampden County, MA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Hampden County government was abolished July 1, 1998 under MGL c.34B and has no zoning or building authority. Massachusetts state law does not set a numeric STR occupancy cap; instead, capacity flows from three frameworks. First, 780 CMR (Massachusetts State Building Code, 10th Edition) adopts IRC R304 and R305: every habitable room must be at least 70 sq ft, every bedroom must be at least 70 sq ft for one occupant and 50 additional sq ft per additional occupant, with a minimum 7-foot ceiling. Second, 105 CMR 410 (State Sanitary Code, Chapter II - Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation) sets minimum 150 sq ft for the first occupant and 100 sq ft for each additional, plus 70 sq ft per bedroom occupant. Third, on-site septic systems are sized under Title 5 (310 CMR 15.203) at 110 gallons per bedroom per day, which effectively caps occupancy in unsewered areas. Each Hampden town's zoning bylaw or STR ordinance may impose an explicit cap; for example, many MA towns use 2 per bedroom plus 2 (so a 3-bedroom unit caps at 8). Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Westfield, and Agawam each set their own rules; Springfield's lodging house licensing under MGL c.140 section 22 may apply to larger STRs. Confirm with the local building department or board of health.