Newburyport, Mass., Code of Ordinances § 9-1 (2026) § 9-1
Lodging house licenses
Operative Text
(a) The license commission may grant licenses for lodging houses under M.G.L.A. c. 140, § 23. Such licenses shall be for the period provided in M.G.L.A. c. 140, § 4. A fee for such license is hereby established by order of the city council and published in Appendix B, Municipal Fee Schedule. (b) The license commission may grant a general license to an owner of a bed and breakfast establishment. A bed and breakfast establishment shall be defined as an owner-occupied building containing no more than ten (10) guest rooms, not including living quarters for owner occupants and having a common entrance or entrances. Common cooking facilities may be included providing that service is limited to those who are owners of the building and those rooming in the building. Said general license shall be renewed annually for a fee as established by order of the city council and published in Appendix B, Municipal Fee Schedule. State Law reference-- Innholders and common victualers, M.G.L.A. c. 140, §§ 1--21; lodging houses, M.G.L.A. c. 140, §§ 22--32.
Newburyport Code of Ordinances ch. 9, § 9-1 establishes a local licensing framework for lodging houses and bed and breakfast establishments. The city's license commission holds authority to issue these licenses, with lodging house licenses governed by the duration set under Massachusetts state law. Bed and breakfast establishments are specifically defined as owner-occupied buildings with no more than ten guest rooms and a common entrance, and their licenses must be renewed each year at a fee set by the city council and listed in the Municipal Fee Schedule.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of lodging houses or bed and breakfast establishments in Newburyport must obtain the appropriate license from the city's license commission under ch. 9, § 9-1 before operating. Compliant operators of bed and breakfast establishments ensure their property meets the definition in the ordinance — owner-occupied, no more than ten guest rooms, and a common entrance — and renew their general license annually at the fee published in Appendix B of the Municipal Fee Schedule. Lodging house operators similarly track the license term as defined by M.G.L.A. c. 140, § 4 and pay the applicable fee established by city council order.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Guests and residents of lodging houses or bed and breakfast establishments in Newburyport may find it useful to know that ch. 9, § 9-1 requires these establishments to hold a valid license issued by the city's license commission. If a lodging house or bed and breakfast appears to be operating without the required license, that concern can generally be raised with the Newburyport license commission. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Massachusetts lodging house law, including M.G.L.A. c. 140, §§ 22–32, can help individuals understand what protections and standards apply to their living situation.
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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