Gloucester, Mass., Code of Ordinances ch. 5, art. V (2026) § 5-64

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
"Booking agent/hosting platform" means any person or entity that facilitates reservations of or collects payment for a short-term rental on behalf of or for an operator.
"Non-primary residential unit" means a residential unit in which the operator does not reside for at least six months out of a 12-month period.
"Operator" means a person operating a bed and breakfast establishment, hotel, lodging house, short-term rental or motel in the commonwealth including, but not limited to, the owner or proprietor of such premises, the lessee, mortgagee in possession, licensee or any other person otherwise operating such bed and breakfast establishment, hotel, lodging house, short- term rental or motel.
"Primary residence" means a residential unit in which an operator resides permanently for at least six months out of a 12-month period. Primary residency may only be established by a natural person or persons and not by LLCs, corporations, partnerships, joint ventures or other similar entities except for dwellings held in a realty trust may be considered primary residences based on the proof of residence requirements set forth below. Primary residence shall be demonstrated by showing that as of the dates of usage as a short-term rental and dates the operator has resided in said residential unit for six of the past 12 months or that the operator intends to reside in the residential unit for six of the next 12 months, in accordance with the proof of primary residence requirements set forth below.
"Proof of non-primary residence" means a copy of the deed, driver's license or state issued identification, as well as one other document showing ownership of the residential unit for short-term rental, such as: utility bill, cable bill, insurance documents.
"Proof of primary residence" means a copy of the deed, driver's license or state issued identification, as well as one other document showing residency at the residential unit for the short-term rental, such as: utility bill, cable bill, voter registration or motor vehicle registration.
"Residential unit" means a dwelling as classified under State Building Code as residential use as those terms are defined but excluding units that are owned by a corporation, designated as affordable or otherwise income restricted, a congregate living complex, elderly housing, group residence, homeless shelter, temporary dwelling structure, transitional housing, and auxiliary dwelling unit. This term shall not include a hotel, motel, or any other non-residential use and all other accommodations exempt under G.L. c. 64G, § 2 .
"Shared residential unit" means a residential unit that is the operator's primary residence, a portion of which is offered as a short-term rental while the operator is present.
"Short-term rental" means an owner-occupied or non-owner occupied property including, but not limited to, an apartment, house, cottage, condominium or a furnished accommodation that is not a hotel, motel, lodging house or bed and breakfast establishment, where: (i) at least one room or unit is rented to an occupant; (ii) all accommodations are reserved in advance; provided, however, that a private owner-occupied property shall be considered a single unit if leased or rented as such; and (iii) is rented for a term of 30 days or less.