Springfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 238 § 238-4
Ineligible and exempt residential units (Springfield Short-Term Rentals)
Operative Text
A. The following residential units are not eligible to be offered as short-term rentals: (1) Residential units designated as below-market-rate or income-restricted, which are subject to affordability covenants, or that are otherwise subject to housing or rental assistance under local, state, or federal law; (2) Residential units subject to any requirement of local, state, or federal law that prohibits the leasing or subleasing of the unit or use of the unit as a short-term rental; (3) Residential units that have been designated as a public nuisance by the City of Springfield Code Enforcement Department, or properties owned by property owners that own any property that is currently designated as a public nuisance, as defined in the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code; (4) Residential units that are the subject of three or more findings of violations of this section within a six-month period, or three or more violations of any municipal ordinance or state law or code relating to excessive noise, improper disposal of trash, disorderly conduct, or other similar conduct within a six-month period; B. The following residential units are not subject to certain provisions of this chapter: (1) Currently licensed lodging houses. (2) Existing bed-and-breakfasts. (3) Residential units contracted for hospital stays (i.e., where the use of a dwelling unit or portion thereof is under an existing contract between the owner of the dwelling unit and a health-care facility or government entity or nonprofit organization registered as a charitable organization with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or classified by the Internal Revenue Service as a public charity or private foundation that provides for the temporary housing in such unit of individuals who are being treated for trauma, injury, or disease, or their family members) shall not be considered a short-term rental.
Springfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 238 § 238-4 identifies two categories of residential units: those that are entirely ineligible to operate as short-term rentals, and those that are exempt from certain chapter requirements. Ineligible units include affordable or income-restricted housing, units already prohibited from subleasing under other laws, properties designated as public nuisances, and units that have accumulated three or more qualifying violations within a six-month window. Separately, licensed lodging houses, existing bed-and-breakfasts, and units used under contracts with healthcare or qualifying nonprofit organizations for temporary patient housing are carved out from the chapter's general requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Springfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 238 § 238-4, property owners and managers operating or considering short-term rentals generally verify at the outset that their units do not fall into any ineligible category — including affordability restrictions, existing sublease prohibitions, or active public-nuisance designations on any property they own. Compliant operators also monitor their violation history, since three or more qualifying violations within a six-month period can render a unit ineligible. Owners of lodging houses, bed-and-breakfasts, or units under qualifying healthcare-related housing contracts should review whether the exemption provisions of § 238-4(B) apply to their specific property type.
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. 238 § 238-4 establishes that certain residential units — including affordable and income-restricted housing — cannot lawfully be offered as short-term rentals, which may be relevant to tenants who believe their building is being improperly converted or listed. Tenants in units subject to affordability covenants or rental assistance programs may have grounds to raise a violation of § 238-4 if their housing is being offered on short-term rental platforms in contravention of this provision. Tenants who believe this rule is being violated can consider contacting the City of Springfield Code Enforcement Department or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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