Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. X § 7-256
Penalties; enforcement
Operative Text
(a) No person or entity may offer a residential unit as a short-term rental in violation of this article. No booking agent may accept a fee for booking a residential unit which is in violation of this ordinance, provided that the city has first notified the booking agent of such violation of the residential unit. All violations of this section may be penalized by a noncriminal disposition as provided for in G.L. c. 40, § 21D. All violations of this section are subject to penalty in accordance with section 1-11 of the Somerville Code of Ordinances. Each day on which a violation exists shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense. The provisions of this section may also be enforced, if applicable, by the director seeking an injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction prohibiting the offering of the short-term rental. The provisions of this section may also be enforced according to Massachusetts Session Laws Acts of 2008 Chapter 106. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the city from seeking any additional penalties or taking any additional enforcement action as allowed for by law. (b) The director may enter into agreements with booking agents or any other third parties for assistance in enforcing the provisions of this article. ( Ord. No. 2019-12 , 5-23-2019; Ord. No. 2023-01 , 1-26-2023 ) Editor's note(s)-- Ord. No. 2023-01, adopted January 26, 2023, added §§ 7-254, 7-255 and renumbered the remaining §§ as 7-256--7-259.
Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. X § 7-256 establishes that operating a short-term rental in violation of the article's requirements is prohibited, and booking platforms that have been notified of a violation may not collect fees for booking that unit. Penalties can be imposed on a per-day basis, meaning each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. The city may pursue enforcement through multiple channels, including noncriminal disposition, fines under section 1-11, court injunctions, and state law remedies, and nothing in the provision limits the city from pursuing additional enforcement tools available under law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating short-term rentals in Somerville should be aware that § 7-256 of Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. X treats each day of noncompliance as a distinct, separately penalizable offense. Compliant operators generally ensure their listings meet all article requirements before accepting bookings, since the city can pursue enforcement through fines, injunctions, and agreements with booking platforms. Staying current with the full requirements of Article X helps operators avoid the compounding financial exposure that daily violations can create.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
If you believe a landlord or property owner in your building is operating an unlawful short-term rental, Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. X § 7-256 provides several enforcement mechanisms the city can use, including fines, court injunctions, and coordination with booking platforms. Tenants who suspect a violation may consider contacting the relevant city director's office to report the activity, since the city has authority to notify booking agents and pursue action once a violation is identified. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Somerville housing law can help you understand what options may be available to you under 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 September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.