Springfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 235 § 235-2
License required; fee; term (Springfield Lodging and Rooming Houses)
Operative Text
A. No person shall rent, lease, let or otherwise contract for the rental of a rooming unit to a person or persons other than members of his or her family without first obtaining a license to do so from the Building Commissioner or his designee. B. The Building Commissioner or his designee shall, upon payment of a fee of $115 for up to three existing bedrooms as shall appear on the original building permit and design of said structure for a single occupant of said rooming unit containing residential living space, and upon compliance with the following sections of this article, issue a license to said applicant for a period of one year.
Springfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 235 § 235-2 establishes that renting out a rooming unit to anyone outside the owner's immediate family requires a valid license issued by the Building Commissioner before any rental arrangement begins. The license carries a fee of $115 for structures with up to three bedrooms as reflected on the original building permit, and it remains valid for one year from the date of issuance. Compliance with the other sections of Article 235 is also a prerequisite for the license to be granted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Springfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 235 § 235-2, operators of rooming units generally obtain a license from the Building Commissioner—or the Commissioner's designee—before entering into any rental arrangement with non-family occupants. A compliant operator pays the $115 licensing fee, ensures the unit's bedroom count aligns with what appears on the original building permit, and renews the license annually. Operators also satisfy all other requirements set out in Article 235 as a condition of licensure.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Springfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 235 § 235-2 requires that any landlord renting a rooming unit to non-family members hold a current, valid license from the Building Commissioner before collecting rent. Tenants may wish to verify whether their landlord holds such a license, as operating without one is a violation of this provision. Those who believe their housing arrangement involves an unlicensed rooming unit can explore options such as contacting the Springfield Building Commissioner's office or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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