Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. X § 7-254

(a) Applying for registration and renewals . An operator shall file an application for registration or registration renewal with ISD online on a form prescribed by ISD. The registration process will be administered by ISD, and subject to change as determined by ISD.

(b) Required information . At the time of application operators shall provide information to ISD that includes the following:

(1)

Address of residential unit to be offered as a short-term rental ;

(2) Operator and owner name and contact information;

(3) Whether the residential unit is being offered as a shared unit , or a autonomous unit ;

(4) Name and contact information of an individual who is able to respond in person to any issues or emergencies that arise during the short-term rental within two hours of being notified. Contact information must include a telephone number that is active 24 hours per day to tenants , short-term rental occupants, and public safety agencies; and

(5) Other information as may be required by ISD.

(c) Required documentation . At the time of application, operators shall provide ISD with the following documentation:

(1)

Proof of primary residence at the residential unit to be offered as a short-term rental;

(2) Completed and signed owner approval, if the owner is not the operator, as well as acceptance of responsibility documentation on forms as provided by ISD;

(3) Certificate of registration with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue for the operator and residential unit to be used as a short-term rental;

(4) Proof of sufficient insurance; and

(5) Other documentation as may be required by ISD.

(d) Fee . At the time of application for registration or renewal, Operators shall submit the applicable fee of $250.00 as set forth by the Council.

(e) Pre-certificate inspection and verification . Prior to issuing or renewing a certificate of registration, ISD shall conduct an inspection and verify the accuracy of the information contained in the application and confirm that each residential unit being offered as a short-term rental meets this article and minimum safety requirements.

(f) Certificate of registration . A certificate of registration shall be issued or renewed to an operator for a residential unit being offered as a short-term rental that meets all requirements of this article. Certificates shall bear a registration number.

(g) Term of certificate .

(1)

Expiration . A certificate shall expire the following March 31st of when it is issued, unless it is renewed during the renewal period.

(2) Renewal period . Operators may apply for renewals of their existing valid certificates starting on the February 1st prior to its March 31st expiration. Certificates that are issued renewals during this period will expire the subsequent March 31st.

(3) End of lease . If an operator is a lessee of the owner, and the operator’s lease for the residential unit has an end date before the expiration of the certificate of registration, the operator shall submit new proof of primary residence to ISD before the end date listed on the lease. Should the operator fail to do so, the certificate of registration shall be deemed invalid as of the applicable lease end date.

(4) Transferability . A certificate of registration shall be tied to the eligibility of the residential unit, the owner, and the operator and shall not automatically transfer or remain valid upon the sale or lease of the unit or building.

(h) Link to listings . An operator who is issued a certificate of registration shall provide a link to the corresponding short-term-rental listing(s) to ISD.

(i) Certification requirement for lawfully existing short-term rentals at passage of registration requirement . Operators offering a short-term rental that was lawfully operating in conformance with this article at time of passage of the registration requirements shall apply for a certificate of registration within 90 days and obtain a certificate within 180 days of the registration effective date. Such lawful short-term rentals are allowed to continue operation during the interim period prior to certification, provided their application is not denied or are found to be otherwise in violation of this article. All other short-term rentals shall require a certificate of registration from ISD prior to operation.

(j) Registration effective date . The registration provisions of this article shall take effect on April 1st, 2023.