Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Somerset, MA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Somerset, MA, but with restrictions. Transient lodging (hotels/motels/lodging houses) is permitted only in Business and Limited Business districts. Renting of rooms in a dwelling unit is allowed in residential districts for up to three persons in addition to the family. Accessory units are not permitted as rental units, and off-street parking (one space per rentable room) is required. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Transient lodging (hotels/motels/lodging houses) is permitted only in Business and Limited Business districts. Renting of rooms in a dwelling unit is allowed in residential districts for up to three persons in addition to the family. Accessory units are not permitted as rental units, and off-street parking (one space per rentable room) is required.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Somerset. 1) Determine the applicable use classification (hotel/motel vs. room rentals). 2) Obtain necessary licenses from the Board of Health and required building permits. 3) If the use requires discretionary approval, apply for a special permit through the Board of Appeals or Planning Board per Section 7.0 of the Zoning Bylaw.

1) Determine the applicable use classification (hotel/motel vs. room rentals). 2) Obtain necessary licenses from the Board of Health and required building permits. 3) If the use requires discretionary approval, apply for a special permit through the Board of Appeals or Planning Board per Section 7.0 of the Zoning Bylaw.

Vrbo is permitted in Somerset, MA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Somerset are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Somerset. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.