Short-term rental permit rules in Waltham, MA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Waltham requires hosts to register under Massachusetts Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2018, with state registration plus any local operator registration before listing on Airbnb or Vrbo.
Massachusetts enacted Chapter 337 of the Acts of 2018 requiring all short-term rental operators to register with the Department of Revenue and maintain a minimum $1 million liability insurance policy. Waltham hosts must comply with this state registry and obtain any required local operator license through the Inspectional Services Department. Rentals of 31 days or fewer in non-owner-occupied properties are regulated, and the host must have a valid certificate of occupancy and pass health and safety inspections. Waltham considers STRs under its lodging and zoning framework, and operators in residential districts may need zoning review if the use is not clearly accessory to the primary residence.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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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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