Hampden County, MA Short-Term Rentals: Parking Rules (2026)

Hampden County was abolished July 1, 1998 under MGL c.34B and has no parking authority. Massachusetts does not impose a statewide off-street parking standard for STRs - the only state-level constraint is the general STR registration framework under MGL c.64G, which does not address parking. Off-street parking requirements flow from each city or town's zoning bylaw adopted under MGL c.40A (Zoning Act). Typical Hampden municipal patterns: single-family dwellings require 2 off-street spaces; lodging or rooming houses often require 1 space per bedroom or per guest room. The 2024 Affordable Homes Act (Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2024, effective February 2, 2025) amended MGL c.40A section 3 to cap parking for accessory dwelling units at 1 space (or 0 within 0.5 miles of a transit station - PVTA bus service in Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee may qualify), but this does not preempt STR-specific parking rules. On-street parking is governed by each town's traffic regulations under MGL c.40 section 22; many Hampden municipalities (Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee) enforce overnight parking bans November-April for snow removal. STR guests who exceed off-street capacity and park on the street during these months risk towing under MGL c.40 section 22D. Confirm exact off-street minimums and overnight rules with the zoning office, building department, and police of the specific municipality.