Medford, Massachusetts

Medford allows STRs only in the operator’s primary residence, making it one of the more restrictive regimes among Massachusetts cities. Two modes are permitted: home-sharing (renting individual rooms while the operator lives on-site), allowed up to 365 days per year, and whole-unit rental (renting the entire residence while the operator is absent), capped at 90 nights per calendar year. Operators must register annually with the city Building Department at a cost of $200 per unit per operator; registration is tied to the specific unit and operator and does not transfer on sale. The unit must carry no outstanding building, sanitary, zoning, or fire-code violations, unpaid taxes, or water/sewer liens. Tenants renting short-term from a rental property, or condo owners in an HOA building, must provide documented owner or HOA permission. Safety requirements include working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, plus in-unit signage covering trash, parking, noise, fire exits, and operator contact information. Operators must maintain guest records, and booking platforms must file quarterly electronic reports to the city covering each property’s occupancy, room vs. whole-unit status, and operator contact. The combined occupancy tax is 11.7%: a 5.7% Massachusetts state room excise plus an approximately 6% Medford local option excise. The Building Department’s guidance was last updated September 7, 2022. No major regulatory changes have been identified since then.