Boston, Mass., Mun. Code § 9-14 (2026) § 9-14.10
Enforcement
Operative Text
(A) Enforcement by city. The provisions of this Section may be enforced in accordance with the noncriminal disposition process of M.G.L. Chapter 40, Section 21D, and, if applicable, by seeking to restrain a violation by injunction. The provisions of this Section may also be enforced according to M.G.L. Chapter 40U as accepted by the city, also known as the “Green Ticket” Law. (B) Enforcement by booking agent. (1) The Commissioner shall enter into agreements with booking agents for assistance in enforcing the provisions of this Section, including, but not limited to, an agreement whereby the booking agent agrees to remove a listing from its platform for exceeding the maximum number of days a residential unit may be offered as a short-term rental, whereby the booking agent agrees to remove a listing from its platform that is deemed ineligible for use as a short-term rental under the provisions of this Section, and whereby the booking agent agrees to prohibit a host from listing any listing without a valid registration number from the city. (2) Any booking agent that fails to enter into such agreements to actively prevent, remove or de-list any ineligible listings shall be prohibited from conducting business in the city.
Boston Municipal Code § 9-14 § 9-14.10 establishes two parallel tracks for enforcing the city's short-term rental rules. The city may pursue violations through a noncriminal ticketing process under state law—including the 'Green Ticket' Law—or seek a court injunction to stop ongoing violations. Separately, the city's Commissioner is required to partner with booking platforms (such as online rental marketplaces) to remove ineligible listings and block hosts who lack a valid city registration number, and any platform that refuses to cooperate can be barred from operating in Boston entirely.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Boston Municipal Code § 9-14 § 9-14.10, operators of short-term rentals should be aware that violations can result in noncriminal citations or injunctive action by the city. Compliant hosts generally maintain a valid city registration number and stay within the maximum permitted rental days, since booking platforms are contractually required to de-list units that exceed those limits or lack proper registration. Operators who lose their listing due to a platform enforcement action may face compounding consequences if the underlying violation also triggers a city citation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Boston Municipal Code § 9-14 § 9-14.10 gives the city meaningful tools to address short-term rental violations in residential buildings, which can affect housing availability for long-term tenants. If a neighbor or landlord appears to be operating an unlawful short-term rental—for example, without a valid registration number or beyond the permitted number of days—residents can report the situation to the city, which has authority to issue citations, seek injunctions, or coordinate removal of the listing through booking platforms. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Boston housing law can help residents understand how these enforcement mechanisms may be relevant to their building.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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