Nahant, Mass., STR Rules & Regs (2024) § 3
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
Applicant – any owner(s) who makes a formal application/registration with the Board of Selectmen for a Rental Certificate. Dwelling – A privately owned permanent structure, whether owned by one or more persons in any legal form, which is occupied in whole or part as the home residence or sleeping place of one or more persons. The terms “one-family” or “two-family” dwelling shall not include hotel, lodging house, hospital, membership club, mobile home or dormitory. Non-Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental - A dwelling unit made available for short-term rental that is neither the Principal Residence of the owner nor is located within the same residential building as the owner’s Principal Residence. Occupant – Anyone entitled for a period of, at minimum, one night to the use or possession, or the right to use or possession, of a Short-Term Rental property designed and normally used for sleeping and living purposes, or the right to the use or possession of the furnishings or the services and accommodations accompanying the use and possession of such Short-Term Rental property, regardless of whether such use and possession is as a lessee, tenant, or licensee. Owner(s) – The duly authorized agent, attorney, purchaser, devisee, trustee, lessee, or any person having vested or equitable interest in the dwelling in question. Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental - The Short-Term Rental of a dwelling unit, of no more than the number of lawful bedrooms within such dwelling unit that is the principal residence of its operator. Owner Adjacent Unit — A residential unit offered as a Short-Term Rental which is not the owner's Principal Residence but which is located within the same dwelling and/or parcel as the Principal Residence. Person – any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, firm, association or group, including a governmental unit, other than the Town of Nahant or any of its agencies.
Section 3 of Nahant's Short-Term Rental Rules and Regulations (approved Oct. 2, 2024) establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the rest of the regulatory framework. It distinguishes between owner-occupied rentals, non-owner-occupied rentals, and owner-adjacent units — categories that determine which rules apply to a given property. The definitions also clarify who qualifies as an 'owner,' 'occupant,' or 'applicant,' ensuring that the regulations apply consistently regardless of how a property is held or used.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 3 of Nahant's Short-Term Rental Rules and Regulations, property owners and managers should be familiar with how their rental arrangement is classified — whether as an Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental, a Non-Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental, or an Owner Adjacent Unit — since each category carries different regulatory implications. The definition of 'Owner' in § 3 is broad, encompassing agents, trustees, and others with equitable interests, meaning that those acting on behalf of a property holder may also fall within the rules' scope. Operators generally ensure their registration with the Board of Selectmen accurately reflects the correct property classification as defined in this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For guests and occupants, § 3 of Nahant's Short-Term Rental Rules and Regulations defines an 'Occupant' broadly to include anyone entitled to use a short-term rental for at least one night, regardless of whether they hold a lease, license, or other arrangement. Understanding these definitions can help occupants identify what type of rental they are staying in and whether the operator is required to hold a Rental Certificate from the Board of Selectmen. Those with questions about how these classifications affect their stay may wish to consult the Board of Selectmen or a tenant-rights organization familiar with Massachusetts short-term rental law.
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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