Westford, Mass., Bd. of Health Transient Lodging Regs (2026) § preamble

Transient Lodging Regulations
(Hotel, Motel, Bed and Breakfast, Rooming, Inn, and Lodging)
Effective Date: July 1st, 2026

Purpose and Intent
Under the authority of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 111, Section 31 and Chapter 140, Section 32B, the Westford Board of Health hereby establishes the following regulations for the operation of Transient Lodgings, i.e. bed and breakfasts, inns, hotels, lodging houses, or motels within the Town of Westford.
These regulations are intended to ensure compliance with the State Sanitary Code, Chapter II, 105 CMR 410.000, and to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all occupants and the general public.
Definitions
For the purpose of these regulations, the following terms shall apply:
Bed and breakfast establishment, a private owner-occupied house where not less than 4 rooms are let, a breakfast is included in the rent and all accommodations are reserved in advance [see, G.L. c. 64G, §1].
Bed and breakfast home, a private owner-occupied house where not more than 3 rooms are let, a breakfast is included in the rent and all accommodations are reserved in advance [see, G.L. c. 64G, §1].
Bedding: Includes, but is not limited to, mattresses, quilts, blankets, sheets, pillow cases, comforters, duvets, bed skirts, and bedspreads.
Board of Health: The Westford Board of Health.
Guest: Any person who rents and/or occupies a room in a Transient Lodging.
Hosting Platform: A service through a digital platform, third-party website, software, online-enabled application, mobile phone application or some other, similar electronic process that allows: (i) an operator to advertise, list or offer the use of an accommodation subject to the excise under this chapter in exchange for rent; (ii) an operator to collect the payment of rent on an accommodation; and (iii) a person to arrange, book, reserve or rent an accommodation [see, G.L. c. 64G, §1].
Hotel: A place where sleeping or housekeeping accommodations are supplied for pay to guests for transient occupancy [see, G.L. c. 140, §12A], and which is licensed or required to be licensed under section 6 of chapter 140 of the General Laws [see, G.L. c. 64G, §1] (see, also Inn).
Inn:   A place where sleeping or housekeeping accommodations are supplied for pay to guests for transient occupancy [see, G.L. c. 140, §12A], and which is licensed or required to be licensed under section 6 of chapter 140 of the General Laws [see, G.L. c. 64G, §1] (see, also “Hotel”).  
Lodging House:  a house licensed or required to be licensed under section 23 of chapter 140 of the General Laws, and where lodgings are rented to not less than 4 people who shall not be within the second degree of kindred to the owner or operator of such lodging house [see, G.L. c. 64G, §1], and shall include fraternity houses and dormitories of educational institutions, but shall not include dormitories of charitable or philanthropic institutions or convalescent or nursing homes, rest homes or group residences licensed or regulated by agencies of the commonwealth [see, G.L. c. 140, §22].
Motel: A building or series of buildings with one or more sleeping units providing overnight accommodations for transient guests and is not licensed as an Inn (Hotel) [see, G.L. c. 140, §32A], and in which a person is lodged for hire with or without meals [see, G.L. c. 64G, §1] (see, also “Inn”).
Bath Linen: Including all but not limited to all towels, face cloths, bathrobes, and bathmats.
Manager: Any person who, in connection with the activities of a Transient Lodging, manages the  business' operations, including such things as, but not limited to, the collection of rental charges, issuing of keys, direction of personnel, assigning of rooms to guests, handling guest affairs, and overseeing security. The term shall also include resident manager and assistant manager.
Owner/Operator: Any individual, group of individuals, firm, association, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation which is the record owner of real property containing a Transient Lodging  facility or which otherwise is in possession or control of Transient Lodging, such as the lessee, sublessee, mortgagee in possession, licensee or any other person otherwise operating such bed and breakfast establishment (see, also “Person”). 
Person:  Any individual, group of individuals, firm, association, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation which is the record owner of real property containing a Transient Lodging facility or which otherwise is in possession or control of a Transient Lodging (see, also “Owner/Operator”).
Tableware: All non-disposable utensils used for eating and drinking, including knives, spoons, forks, plates, glasses, and cups.
Town: The Town of Westford.
Transient Lodging: Any establishment operated as a bed and breakfast, inn, hotel, lodging house, or motel as said establishments are defined herein, regardless of its name.
Single Service Articles: Items intended to be discarded after one use, such as disposable cups, containers, lids, utensils, ice bucket liners, and straws.
Sanitize: The application of heat or chemicals on cleaned items sufficient to eliminate disease microorganisms of public health concern.
Guest Room: A single unit that provides rooms or spaces for one or more persons, for sleeping and can include provisions for living, eating, and sanitation.