Williamsburg, Mass., Gen. Gov't By-laws, Transient Lodger Bylaw (2025) § 3
Definitions
Operative Text
• Short-Term Rentals in a Single-Family Dwelling is an accessory use to a Single-Family
Dwelling. All or part of the Single-Family Dwelling may be used to provide overnight
accommodations for transient guests, for a rental period not to exceed thirty-one (31)
consecutive days. The Single-Family Dwelling must be the primary residence of the
homeowner or leaseholder, and no more than four bedrooms in the dwelling, with or
without access and use of other portions of the dwelling, may be offered for rental.
• Short-Term Rentals in a Two-Family Dwelling is an accessory use to a Two-Family
Dwelling. In order to be used as a Short-Term Rental, both dwelling units must be
owned or leased by the same homeowner or leaseholder with one dwelling unit being
used as the homeowner’s or leaseholder’s primary residence, and the second dwelling
unit being unoccupied by long-term renters and not presently subject to an ongoing
long-term lease or sublease for rental occupation. All or part of the unoccupied second
dwelling unit may be used as a Short-Term Rental to provide overnight
accommodations for transient guests, for a rental period not to exceed thirty-one (31)
consecutive days. No more than four bedrooms in the unoccupied dwelling unit, with
or without access and use of other portions of the unoccupied dwelling unit, may be
offered for rental. Within a Two-Family Dwelling, Short-Term Rentals are not permitted
in the dwelling unit that is the homeowner’s or leaseholder’s primary residence.
• For purposes of this Bylaw, a Bed and Breakfast Inn shall be considered a Short-Term
Rental in a Single-Family Dwelling and shall, in all instances, be limited to the rental of
not more than four bedrooms in a single-family dwelling.
• A Lodging Facility is a hotel, motel, inn, or other commercial establishment, with or
without a dining room or restaurant, which offers sleeping accommodations for
transient guests, for a period not to exceed thirty-one (31) consecutive days, and
which does not otherwise qualify as a Short-Term Rentals in a Single-Family Dwelling,
as defined in the bylaws for the Town of Williamsburg.
• A dwelling is considered the primary residence of a homeowner or leaseholder, if the
homeowner or leaseholder resides in said dwelling for 183 days, or more, each year.Section 3 of the Williamsburg, Mass., Transient Lodger Bylaw establishes the key definitions that govern short-term rental activity in town. Single-family dwellings may be rented to transient guests for up to 31 consecutive days, but only when the property is the owner's or leaseholder's primary residence (meaning they live there at least 183 days per year) and no more than four bedrooms are offered. Two-family dwellings may host short-term rentals only in the unoccupied second unit when both units are owned or leased by the same person who lives in the other unit as their primary residence, and that second unit must be free of any active long-term lease. Bed and breakfasts are treated as single-family short-term rentals under this framework, while hotels, motels, and similar commercial establishments fall under the separate 'Lodging Facility' category.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 3 of the Williamsburg Transient Lodger Bylaw, compliant operators of short-term rentals in single-family dwellings generally maintain the property as their primary residence — meaning they occupy it for at least 183 days per year — and limit guest rentals to no more than four bedrooms per stay, with each stay capped at 31 consecutive days. Operators of two-family dwellings must hold ownership or a lease over both units, occupy one as their primary residence, and ensure the second unit is free of any active long-term lease or sublease before offering it for short-term rental. Bed and breakfast operators should be aware that § 3 classifies their use as a single-family short-term rental, subjecting them to the same four-bedroom and primary-residence requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 3 of the Williamsburg Transient Lodger Bylaw defines the types of short-term rental arrangements that are permitted in town, which can be relevant to tenants who discover their landlord may be operating a short-term rental in violation of these definitions. For example, if a tenant holds an active long-term lease on a unit in a two-family dwelling, § 3 indicates that unit is not eligible to be used as a short-term rental while that lease is in effect. Tenants who believe a rental arrangement conflicts with the definitions established in § 3 may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or contact the Town of Williamsburg for guidance on how the bylaw is administered.
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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