Georgetown, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 457 § 457-8
Nonapplicability (Georgetown Rental Occupancy)
Operative Text
This regulation shall not apply to new construction which is in compliance with the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local regulations pertaining thereto; nor shall it apply to new construction which was completed less than five years prior to the date on which the rented dwelling unit, apartment or tenement becomes vacant.
Georgetown, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 457 § 457-8 establishes two categories of new construction that fall outside the reach of the town's rental regulations. First, new construction that complies with Massachusetts General Laws and applicable local regulations is exempt. Second, any newly constructed unit that was completed fewer than five years before a rental vacancy occurs is also excluded from coverage under the regulation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 457 § 457-8, operators of newly constructed rental properties may be exempt from the town's rental regulations if the construction meets state and local legal requirements, or if the building was completed within the five years preceding a unit's vacancy. Compliant operators generally document their construction completion dates and applicable permits to substantiate any exemption claim. Maintaining clear records of when a unit was first placed into service can be important when a vacancy triggers a question about whether the regulation applies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 457 § 457-8 limits the scope of Georgetown's rental regulations by carving out certain newly built units, which means tenants in qualifying new construction may not have access to the same protections the regulation otherwise provides. If you are unsure whether your unit qualifies as new construction under this exemption, tenant-rights organizations or a housing attorney can help clarify how the five-year window and compliance requirements are interpreted. Tenants who believe an exemption is being applied incorrectly may have the option of raising that question with local housing authorities or as a defense in a relevant proceeding.
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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