Shelburne, Mass., Gen. Bylaws art. 21 (2025) § 3
Short Term Rental Registration
Operative Text
3.1 Owners of residential properties shall not offer short-term residential rentals unless they are
a. registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Town of Shelburne in
accordance with this bylaw and with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of
Revenue pursuant to the applicable provision of General Laws Chapter 64G, and
(b) fully compliant with all requirements of this bylaw and any regulations adopted
hereunder.
(c) compliant with state law and regulations
(d) compliant with the Shelburne zoning bylaws regarding short term residential rentals.
3.2 To become registered, the owner shall submit a completed Short-term Residential Rental
Application form to the Town Clerk which shall include:
(a) contact information for the owner and an agent designated by the owner either of which
shall be available within two (2) hours on a 24/7 basis to respond to any disturbances or
emergencies associated with the short-term residential rental;
(b) attestation of possession of liability insurance coverage for the short-term residential
rental in compliance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 175, Section 4,
(c) Massachusetts Department of Revenue Occupancy Excise Registration.
3.3 The applicant must work with the town’s Health Agent, Building Inspector, and Fire Chief,
to schedule required sanitation, building, and fire safety inspections of the property. Fees
may apply for inspections and permits.
3.4 Upon receipt of a completed registration form, applicable certificates of compliance with
sanitation, building, and fire safety inspections, and the associated fee, the Town Clerk shall
issue a certificate of registration with a unique registration number.
3.5 Registrations shall expire on December 31 of each year. All renewals shall require a new
application to be submitted and payment of the associated fee. Owners who wish to have
their renewal take effect on January 1 following the expiration of their registration should
apply at least by December 1 before the expiration of their registration. Renewal shall be
conditional upon compliance with the provisions of this bylaw and any associated
regulations during the preceding year and at the time of the renewal.
3.6 Non-Transferability: Short-term residential rental registrations shall be granted solely and
personally to the applying owner and shall not be transferable or assigned to any other
person, legal entity, or address. The registrations shall not run with the property; and it shall
terminate upon sale or transfer of the property.Under Shelburne, Mass., Gen. Bylaws art. 21 § 3, property owners are prohibited from offering short-term rentals without first completing a dual registration process with both the Town of Shelburne and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Registration requires submitting an application to the Town Clerk that includes owner and agent contact information, proof of liability insurance, and a Massachusetts Department of Revenue occupancy excise registration, followed by passing sanitation, building, and fire safety inspections. Registrations expire annually on December 31, must be renewed each year, and are personal to the registered owner — they do not transfer with the property upon sale.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Shelburne, Mass., Gen. Bylaws art. 21 § 3 generally maintain an active registration with the Town Clerk before listing any short-term rental, ensuring their application includes a 24/7-reachable contact, current liability insurance documentation, and a state DOR occupancy excise registration. Compliant operators also coordinate inspections with the town's Health Agent, Building Inspector, and Fire Chief, and submit renewal applications by December 1 each year to avoid a lapse. Because registrations are non-transferable and terminate upon sale, owners who acquire a property with an existing short-term rental use typically initiate a new registration in their own name before operating.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Shelburne, Mass., Gen. Bylaws art. 21 § 3, guests and neighbors can verify that a short-term rental is lawfully operating by confirming it holds a valid certificate of registration with a unique registration number issued by the Town Clerk. If a rental appears to be operating without proper registration or inspection certificates, a concern can be raised with the Town Clerk or relevant town officials. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing authorities can help individuals understand what recourse may be available when a rental does not meet the requirements of this provision.
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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