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Short Term Rentals
At the Fall 2020 Special Town Meeting, a Short Term Rental Bylaw was passed to protect residents' safety, health, and quality of life, while allowing an avenue for residents to operate short term rental businesses in homes in Lexington.
The Land Use, Health, and Development Department developed the bylaw in response to the increased popularity of short term rentals and concerns raised by neighbors living close to short term rental properties.
- What is considered a short term rental?
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A Short Term Rental, or STML, refers to the rental of any dwelling unit or bedroom as a residential accommodation for a duration of less than 30 consecutive days. Common hosting platforms used are Air BnB, VRBO, Craigslist, HomeAway, Boston Rentals, Couch Surfing, and FlipKey.
- If I operate a short term rental, what do I need to know?
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A resident, classified as an Operator-Occupied or Operator-Adjacent, will be allowed to rent a whole dwelling unit, or up to three bedrooms within their own dwelling unit for no longer than thirty (30) consecutive days, with a 120-day limitation per calendar year, when the Operator is not present.
Property owners would need to apply for annual registration and will be subject to an inspection by the Building and Zoning Office before issuing a Certificate of Registration.
- Apply for Short Term Rental
- View the Short Term Rental Regulations (PDF)
- View the Short Term Rental Bylaw (PDF)
- View the Smoke and Carbon Checklist (PDF)
For questions on how to apply contact the Zoning Clerk, Sharon Coffey, at 781-698-4516.
For questions on the Short Term Rental Bylaw or Regulations contact the Zoning Administrator, Julie Krakauer, at 781-698-4515.