Woburn, Mass., Municipal Code ch. 5 pt. X (2025) § 5-57
Definitions
Operative Text
For the purpose of this part:
A. Boarding, Rooming or Lodging House: a building or structure or portion thereof
arranged or used for lodging with or without meals for compensation by three (3)
or more lodgers or boarders. This definition shall not include hotels, motels or
inns." (Ord. 6/27/91).
B. "Lodging unit" means a rented room or group of rooms containing no cooking
facilities, used for living purposes by a separate family or group of persons living
together or by a person living alone, within the dwelling. (Prior Ch. 20 sec. 1).Section 5-57 of Woburn's Municipal Code Chapter 5, Part X establishes the foundational definitions that govern the regulation of lodging houses in the city. A boarding, rooming, or lodging house is defined as any building or portion of a building used to house three or more paying lodgers, with or without meals, but hotels, motels, and inns are explicitly excluded from this category. A 'lodging unit' is defined as a rented room or group of rooms without cooking facilities that is used as a living space by an individual or group.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential rental properties in Woburn should be aware that § 5-57 determines whether a property falls under the lodging house regulations in Chapter 5, Part X. A compliant operator generally assesses whether their property meets the threshold of three or more compensated lodgers and lacks the characteristics of a hotel, motel, or inn, since that classification triggers the applicable regulatory requirements. Operators also take care to distinguish lodging units—rooms without cooking facilities—from other rental unit types, as this distinction can affect which rules apply to their property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 5-57 of Woburn's Municipal Code Chapter 5, Part X is important for residents of rooming or boarding houses because it defines the types of accommodations that fall under the city's lodging house protections. If you live in a rented room without cooking facilities alongside two or more other paying lodgers, your living arrangement may qualify as a lodging unit under this provision, potentially entitling you to the protections that follow in Part X. Tenants who are uncertain about whether their housing situation falls under these definitions may find it helpful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the broader provisions of Chapter 5, Part X.
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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