Rockport, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 276 § 276-3
Enforcement; violations and penalties; hearing; remedies (Rockport Short-Term Rentals)
Operative Text
A. Enforcing agent. The Select Board may designate such Town officials as it deems appropriate to carry out the enforcement duties under this by-law. The Town Administrator shall supervise enforcement actions. B. First notice of violation. If the enforcement agent, as designated by the Select Board, concludes that there has been a violation of this by-law or of the conditions of any license issued hereunder, the agent shall send notice ordering cessation of the improper activities to the license holder, by registered mail to the address stated on the initial application. C. Enforcement pursuant to Chapter 1 , Article III , of the Code of By-laws. If a license holder persists in such violation, the enforcement agent may seek enforcement of this by-law and the penalty for violations of this by-law shall be as promulgated in Chapter 1 , Article III , of the Code of By-laws for each day an offense occurs. Fines shall continue to accrue throughout all subsequent enforcement phases until such time as violations cease or the license is revoked, whichever is later. D. Enforcement show cause hearing. In the event that a license holder persists in such violations, the Board may notify the license holder by mail, as above, of a hearing to be held not less than four days thereafter to show cause why said license should not be revoked, and following said hearing may, in its discretion, modify, revoke or amend the license. E. Other hearings. Upon petition of the property owner and/or license holder, abutters, or upon its own initiative, the Select Board may hold a hearing to determine whether or not the terms of this by-law, any other applicable state, federal or local law, or the license itself are being complied with and/or whether or not activities conducted pursuant to a license issued under this by-law constitute a nuisance or adversely impact the public health, safety, or welfare. F. Remedies. The Select Board may, after hearing, mandate licensure or modify, revoke or suspend a license issued hereunder. In addition, should the Select Board, after conducting a hearing, determine that a violation has occurred, it may direct the enforcement agent to seek enforcement of this by-law as set forth in the above subsections.
Rockport's CH. 276 § 276-3 establishes a multi-step enforcement process for violations of the town's short-term rental bylaw. When a designated enforcement agent finds a violation, the license holder first receives a registered-mail notice to stop the offending activity; if the violation continues, daily fines accrue under Chapter 1, Article III of the Code of By-laws and the Select Board may hold a show-cause hearing that could result in license modification, suspension, or revocation. The Select Board also retains authority to initiate or respond to hearings on compliance, nuisance, or public-health concerns raised by property owners, abutters, or the Board itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators holding a license under CH. 276 § 276-3 should understand that a single registered-mail notice is the first formal step in enforcement, and that failure to correct a cited violation triggers daily fines that continue to accumulate through every subsequent enforcement phase until the violation stops or the license is revoked. Compliant operators generally maintain accurate contact information on their license application so that any notice reaches them promptly, and they respond quickly to any first notice to avoid escalation to a show-cause hearing. The Select Board holds broad discretion under § 276-3 to modify, suspend, or revoke a license after a hearing, making timely corrective action an important part of ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Neighbors and community members affected by a licensed activity covered under CH. 276 § 276-3 have a recognized avenue for relief: abutters may petition the Select Board to hold a hearing to determine whether the license holder is complying with the bylaw, other applicable law, or whether the activity constitutes a nuisance or harms public health, safety, or welfare. If a hearing is held and a violation is found, the Board can direct enforcement actions including daily fines and license revocation. Those with concerns about a licensed property may wish to consult the Town Administrator's office or a tenant-rights organization to understand how to submit a petition or participate in a scheduled hearing under § 276-3.
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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