Somerville, MA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Sec. 7-253(a) requires all short-term rentals to obtain a certificate of registration from the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) before operation. Sec. 7-254 lays out the process: operators file online on a form ISD prescribes, and at application must supply the unit's address, operator and owner contact information, whether the unit is a shared or autonomous unit, and the name and 24-hour phone number of someone who can respond in person to emergencies within two hours. Required documentation under Sec. 7-254(c) includes proof of primary residence, signed owner approval if the operator is not the owner, a certificate of registration with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, and proof of sufficient insurance.

00 as set by the City Council under Sec. 7-254(d). Before issuing or renewing, ISD conducts a pre-certificate inspection under Sec. 7-254(e) to verify the application and confirm minimum safety requirements are met. Under Sec. 7-254(g), a certificate expires every March 31, with renewal applications accepted starting the preceding February 1; certificates are not transferable to a new owner, operator, or lease under Sec. 7-254(g)(4). Operators must also include their ISD registration number on every listing under Sec. 7-253(o) and provide ISD a link to each listing under Sec. 7-253(p) and 7-254(h). ISD maintains a publicly accessible registry of certified units under Sec. 7-255, listing the address, registration number, and unit type.