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

Worcester has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental ordinance with bedroom-based occupancy caps. State law under MGL Chapter 64G defines a short-term rental as an owner-occupied, tenant-occupied, or non-owner-occupied property rented to occupants for a period of not more than 31 consecutive calendar days. Operators must register with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue under Chapter 62C Section 67 and remit the state Room Occupancy Excise. The Worcester Zoning Ordinance (originally ordained April 2, 1991, as amended) does include a definition for Bed and Breakfast Establishment, an owner-occupied dwelling with no more than six guestrooms providing breakfast and a term of residency of less than eight days; a maximum of two guests is allowed per room, with children under twelve not counted in the total. Guestrooms may not include individual kitchen facilities. Outside of B&B operations, STR-style hosting in single-family or two-family dwellings remains subject to the underlying zoning use, the State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410 (minimum standards of fitness for human habitation, including 150 sq ft for the first occupant and 100 sq ft for each additional occupant in a sleeping room), and 780 CMR egress and life-safety provisions. MGL c.64G Section 14 authorizes municipalities to regulate registered operators by ordinance or by-law, but Worcester has not yet enacted such regulations.