Fairhaven, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 190 § 190-1
Purpose (Fairhaven Short-Term Rentals)
Operative Text
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for administration and enforcement of the Fairhaven Short-Term Rental Properties Bylaw, which provides for registration of short-term rental units in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of both the occupant(s) of those rental housing units and the general public and to maintain the quality of life in residential neighborhoods of the Town. Further, this bylaw is intended to provide for the orderly operation of short-term rentals within the Town and prevent negative impacts on neighborhood character, housing availability, house prices, availability of long-term rental units and impacts on infrastructure services such as sewer, parking, access, fire codes, building code enforcement and snow removal. These regulations are also intended to assist the Board of Health, the Building Department and the Fire Department in the enforcement of state and local health and safety laws and regulations related to short-term rental units and to provide a method for correcting violations when conditions require immediate attention in situations associated with short-term rentals.
Fairhaven, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 190 § 190-1 establishes the overarching purpose of the town's Short-Term Rental Properties Bylaw. The chapter is designed to protect occupant health, safety, and welfare, preserve neighborhood character, and safeguard housing availability and infrastructure. It also creates a framework for the Board of Health, Building Department, and Fire Department to enforce applicable state and local regulations and to address violations that require prompt attention.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 190 § 190-1, operators of short-term rental properties in Fairhaven are expected to understand that the bylaw exists to protect neighborhood quality, housing stock, and public safety — not merely to impose administrative requirements. Compliant operators generally register their units as required, maintain properties in accordance with health, building, and fire codes, and respond promptly when violations are identified. Familiarity with the stated purposes of § 190-1 helps operators anticipate the concerns that the Board of Health, Building Department, and Fire Department are empowered to address.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 190 § 190-1 signals that Fairhaven's short-term rental regulations are intended, in part, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of people who occupy short-term rental units. Tenants or guests who believe a property falls short of health, building, or fire code standards may have recourse through the town's Board of Health, Building Department, or Fire Department, each of which is identified in this provision as an enforcement body. Tenant-rights organizations or local housing advocates can help individuals understand what options may be available under this chapter.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.