Easthampton, Mass., City Ordinances ch. 4, art. VI (2026) § 4-50.2
Definitions
Operative Text
For this Chapter, the following terms shall have the definitions indicated: Dwelling Unit One or more living or sleeping rooms arranged for the use of one or more individuals living as a single housekeeping unit, with cooking, living, sanitary, and sleeping facilities. Board of Health means the Board of Health for the City of Easthampton, Massachusetts. Booking Party All persons who occupy a Short-Term Rental under a single reservation. Owner Any person or entity who alone, or severally with others, has legal or equitable title or beneficial interest in any Dwelling Unit; a mortgagee in possession; or agent, trustee or person appointed by the courts. Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental A Short-Term Rental located on the same property as the Owner’s Principal Residence. Person, Local An individual or entity designated by the Owner as responsible for day-to-day operation of a Short-Term Rental. The Local Person shall be available to respond 24 hours a day to issues arising from any Short-Term Rental and shall reside within 20 miles of the City. Principal Residence An Owner’s legal place of residence as listed on their most recent tax return, state-issued ID, vehicle registration or voter registration. Short-Term Rental. The rental of a whole or a portion of a primary or accessory Dwelling Unit, in exchange for consideration, as overnight accommodations for no more than twenty-eight (28) consecutive calendar days. A properly licensed and permitted Bed & Breakfast, Hotel, Motel, or Lodging House as those uses are defined under the Easthampton Zoning Ordinance shall not be considered a Short-Term Rental. Year, Registration: Beginning the date a registration for a Short-Term Rental is approved and continuing for Three Hundred and Sixty-Five (365) days.
Section 4-50.2 of Easthampton's short-term rental ordinance establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 4, Article VI. Key terms defined include 'Short-Term Rental' (a dwelling rented for 28 or fewer consecutive nights), 'Owner-Occupied Short-Term Rental' (one on the same property as the owner's primary home), and 'Local Person' (a designated contact who must live within 20 miles of Easthampton and be reachable around the clock). Licensed hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and lodging houses as defined under Easthampton's Zoning Ordinance are explicitly excluded from the short-term rental definition. These definitions govern how all other provisions in the ordinance are interpreted and applied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 4-50.2, operators of short-term rentals in Easthampton should be familiar with how the ordinance defines the properties and roles it regulates, since these definitions shape compliance obligations throughout the chapter. Owners who do not live on-site must designate a 'Local Person' who resides within 20 miles of the city and is available 24 hours a day to address issues at the rental. Establishing a clear record of the owner's 'Principal Residence'—through a tax return, state ID, vehicle registration, or voter registration—is relevant to determining whether a property qualifies as an Owner-Occupied Short-Term Rental under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 4-50.2 sets out the definitions that determine whether a rental arrangement falls under Easthampton's short-term rental rules, which can affect the protections and requirements that apply to a stay. If a rental is 28 consecutive nights or fewer and is not a licensed hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, or lodging house, it is likely covered by this ordinance's framework. Tenants or booking parties who have questions about whether a specific rental is properly registered or who to contact in case of issues may find it useful to consult the Easthampton Board of Health, which is named in § 4-50.2 as the relevant city body, or to reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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