Williamsburg, Mass., Gen. Gov't By-laws, Transient Lodger Bylaw (2025) § 4
Registration and Licensing
Operative Text
• Short-Term Rentals in Single-Family and Two-Family Dwellings must register annually
with the Town Clerk with location, number of rooms available, and emergency contact
information for the homeowner or leaseholder of the Short-Term Rental property.
• All Short-Term Rentals shall be licensed by the Board of Selectmen or its designee.
Failure to obtain a license shall constitute a violation of this Section. The Board of
Selectmen may adopt rules and regulations related to the issuance of such licenses,
including the fees to be paid and the conditions to be satisfied by any applicant for
such a license. Licenses shall be for a two-year term and are renewable at the
discretion of the Board of Selectmen. Persons operating a Short-Term Rentals shall
also comply with all Zoning and General Bylaws of the Town of Williamsburg, including
Bylaws regulating signs.
• Lodging Facilities must register annually with the Town Clerk with emergency contact
information. They must also comply with Massachusetts laws and regulations,
including but not limited to, the Massachusetts State Building, Plumbing, Electrical,
Fire and Sanitary Codes, and all Zoning and General Bylaws of the Town of
Williamsburg, including Bylaws regulating signs.Section 4 of the Williamsburg Transient Lodger Bylaw establishes a two-track compliance framework for short-term lodging operations. Short-term rentals in single-family and two-family dwellings must register annually with the Town Clerk—providing location, room count, and emergency contact details—and must also obtain a biennial license from the Board of Selectmen, with failure to do so constituting a violation. Lodging facilities face a separate but parallel requirement: annual Town Clerk registration with emergency contact information, plus adherence to a range of Massachusetts state codes and all applicable Williamsburg zoning and general bylaws.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of short-term rentals subject to § 4 of the Williamsburg Transient Lodger Bylaw generally maintain current annual registrations with the Town Clerk, keeping location, room availability, and emergency contact information up to date. They also hold a valid two-year license issued by the Board of Selectmen or its designee, and renew that license in a timely manner since renewal is at the Board's discretion. Compliant operators additionally ensure their properties conform to all applicable Williamsburg zoning bylaws, general bylaws, and—for lodging facilities—the full suite of Massachusetts state building, plumbing, electrical, fire, and sanitary codes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
If you are renting or considering renting a short-term rental or lodging facility in Williamsburg, § 4 of the Transient Lodger Bylaw gives you a basis to verify that the property is properly registered with the Town Clerk and, for short-term rentals, licensed by the Board of Selectmen. An unlicensed operation is explicitly a violation of this section, which may be relevant if you experience habitability or safety concerns. Tenant-rights organizations or the Town Clerk's office can help you understand what registration and licensing records are publicly available and what avenues exist for raising a concern about a non-compliant property.
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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