Short-term rental permit rules in Lowell, MA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Lowell requires short-term rental operators to register with the state and comply with local zoning, with all operators also subject to Massachusetts state registration under MGL c.64G.
Massachusetts expanded the room occupancy excise in 2019 to cover short-term rentals of 31 days or less, requiring all Lowell STR operators to register with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue through MassTaxConnect. Operators must obtain a Certificate of Registration and display the registration number in all advertisements. Locally, Lowell treats STRs under its zoning ordinance, where rentals of entire dwellings to transient guests may constitute a hotel or lodging house use requiring a special permit in many residential zones. Owner-occupied rentals of rooms or units within an owner-occupied dwelling typically face fewer restrictions. Operators must also carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance per MGL c.64G s.14, comply with smoke and CO detector requirements under 527 CMR 1.00, and may need an inspection by Lowell Inspectional Services. Contact Lowell 311 at (978) 674-4020 to confirm current local permit obligations.
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 permit requirements.
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