Williamsburg, Mass., Gen. Gov't By-laws, Transient Lodger Bylaw (2025) § 6
Guest Registers
Operative Text
Short-Term Rentals, and Lodging Facilities must maintain, for a period of at least two (2) years, a guest register that includes the name and address of the guest(s) and the date and length of stay.
Under the Williamsburg, Mass., General Government By-laws — Transient Lodger Bylaw (amended through 6/2/2025), operators of short-term rentals and lodging facilities are required to keep a guest register containing each guest's name, address, and the dates and duration of their stay. This record must be retained for a minimum of two years. The rule establishes a baseline documentation standard for all covered lodging operations in Williamsburg.
Plain English — not legal advice.
The Williamsburg, Mass., General Government By-laws — Transient Lodger Bylaw (amended through 6/2/2025) requires that compliant short-term rental and lodging facility operators maintain a guest register capturing each guest's name, address, check-in date, and length of stay. Operators generally keep these records in a consistent, retrievable format — whether paper or digital — and ensure they are preserved for the full two-year retention period. Establishing a routine intake process at the time of each guest's arrival helps ensure the register stays current and complete.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
The Williamsburg, Mass., General Government By-laws — Transient Lodger Bylaw (amended through 6/2/2025) establishes that short-term rental and lodging facility operators must keep a guest register with guest names, addresses, and stay details for at least two years. Guests staying at covered properties have an interest in knowing that their information is being recorded and retained as part of this local compliance requirement. Those with questions about how their information is handled or whether a facility is meeting its obligations under this bylaw may wish to contact the relevant Williamsburg municipal authority or consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Massachusetts lodging law.
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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