Executive summary: Short‑term rentals are allowed in Lexington, MA, but only for owner‑occupied or owner‑adjacent properties, and only under tightly defined conditions. The Town’s STR bylaw (Section 6.10, amended at the 2024 Annual Town Meeting) permits a single operator‑occupied dwelling (or up to two bedrooms in that dwelling when occupied by the operator), plus a single operator‑adjacent dwelling that must be rented as an entire unit (no separate bedroom rentals). Rentals are limited to stays of fewer than 30 days, with occupancy caps, parking limits, safety and life‑safety standards, and annual registration with inspection.

Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Lexington, MA?

• Yes, but only as an accessory use to a principal residential use, and only if the operator meets one of two categories:
  • Operator‑Occupied: The STR is the operator’s primary residence.
  • Operator‑Adjacent: The STR is within a building on a lot with four or fewer dwelling units, one of which is the operator’s primary residence. The adjacent unit must be rented as an entire unit to one party at a time.
• Bed‑and‑breakfasts, hotels, and motels are not considered STRs under this bylaw.
• STRs are expressly prohibited in:
  • Affordable or income‑restricted units (covenant‑restricted) and units assisted under housing/rental programs;
  • Accessory apartments (Section 6.7);
  • Lots with three or more dwelling units;
  • Any unit in violation of the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410.3).
• STRs must be registered annually with the Building & Zoning Office and pass inspection prior to issuance of a Certificate of Registration.

Source: Lexington Zoning Bylaw §6.10 (2024 amendment).

How to Start an STR Business in Lexington, MA

1. Confirm eligibility:
   • Verify the property is not prohibited (income‑restricted, accessory apartment, 3+ units on a lot, or State Sanitary Code violations).
   • Confirm you qualify as operator‑occupied or operator‑adjacent.
2. Prepare documentation and life‑safety compliance:
   • Assemble proof of primary residence (affidavit, property title or tenancy agreement, photo ID, and recent government or utility correspondence).
   • Obtain HOA/condominium association written consent (if applicable).
   • Document parking: number and location of legal off‑street and on‑street spaces; confirm compliance with the “one vehicle per lawful bedroom” and “no more than four vehicles total” rule.
   • Secure liability insurance appropriate to STR use; the Certificate of Insurance must list the Town of Lexington as certificate holder.
   • Confirm smoke/CO/heat detector placement and egress, address posting, and other life‑safety systems per Massachusetts State Building Code (see Life Safety Systems below).
3. Apply and register:
   • Submit the annual STR application to the Building and Zoning Office.
   • Ensure the listing/advertisement includes the registration number once issued.
4. Schedule and pass inspection:
   • The Building and Zoning Office will inspect before issuing or renewing the Certificate of Registration.
   • Address any fire and safety violations; the Town may inspect regardless of permit status if potential violations are reported.
5. Maintain ongoing compliance:
   • Keep an up‑to‑date occupant log (names, ages, dates of stay) available for the Board of Health and Department of Public Safety in emergencies.
   • Post required notices inside the STR: waste/recycling instructions, emergency exit diagram, operator/local contact, parking rules (including snow emergencies), and the Certificate of Registration.
   • Maintain property tax, water, and sewage account status.
6. Renew and update:
   • Renew annually or upon change of operator/owner.
   • Update HOA/condominium records and insurance as needed.

Sources: Lexington Short‑Term Rental Registration Requirements; Building & Zoning Office guidance.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Certificate of Registration (annual):
  • Issued by the Building & Zoning Office after inspection; must be renewed annually or upon change of operator/owner.
  • Must list the registration number on any advertisement.
• Application package contents:
  • Proof of primary residence (affidavit under penalties of perjury, property title/tenancy agreement, photo ID, and government/utility correspondence within last three months).
  • Written HOA/condo association consent, if applicable.
  • Parking plan: count and location of legal off‑street and on‑street spaces.
  • Owner’s agreement to occupancy, parking, advertising restrictions, and event prohibitions.
  • Certificate of Insurance with Town of Lexington as certificate holder.
  • Listing/advertisement must include registration number post‑issuance.
• Life Safety Systems checklist (pre‑inspection):
  • Smoke, carbon monoxide, and heat detectors per MA State Building Code (R314, R315).
  • Emergency and escape rescue openings per MA State Building Code.
  • Means of egress substantially conforming to MA State Building Code.
  • Building address posted and clearly visible from the street.
• Procedural postings inside the STR:
  • Waste disposal and recycling instructions.
  • Emergency exit diagram in bedrooms used for owner‑adjacent STRs and at all egress points.
  • Operator contact; local contact information if the operator is not present.
  • Parking regulations (including snow emergencies).
  • Certificate of Registration posted.
• Taxes and fees:
  • Property taxes, water, and sewage charges must be current.
  • Short‑term rentals are subject to Massachusetts Room Occupancy Excise (G.L. c. 64G) and the short‑term rental community impact surcharge; operators are responsible for proper payment to the Commonwealth and the Town.

Sources: Lexington Short‑Term Rental Registration Requirements; 2024 Zoning Bylaw amendment.

Specific Regulations: City/County/State

City of Lexington (local rules; Zoning Bylaw §6.10):

• Permitted STR categories:
  • Operator‑Occupied: One dwelling unit (or up to two bedrooms in that dwelling) rented to one party at a time.
  • Operator‑Adjacent: One dwelling unit on a lot with four or fewer units, where the operator’s primary residence is in another unit in the same building. Must be rented as a whole unit to one party; separate bedroom rentals are not permitted.
• Duration and occupancy:
  • Rentals must be for fewer than 30 consecutive days.
  • Occupancy: no more than two adult guests per bedroom, and no more than ten guests per dwelling unit, whichever is fewer.
• Parking:
  • One vehicle per lawful bedroom in the STR; no more than four vehicles in total on the lot.
• Rentals when operator is away:
  • During seven or more consecutive days when the operator is not sleeping overnight at the dwelling, an operator‑occupied STR may be rented only as a whole unit; separate bedroom rentals to different parties are not permitted.
• Day/night limits:
  • Renting at an hourly rate or for less than ten consecutive hours is prohibited.
• Annual day cap:
  • STRs may not exceed an aggregate of 120 consecutive or nonconsecutive calendar days per year when the operator is not occupying the dwelling during the entire rental term.
• Gathering limits and event prohibition:
  • STRs shall not be used for large indoor or outdoor events (e.g., luncheons, banquets, parties, weddings, meetings, seminars).
  • The number of individuals permitted in or at the STR at any time for gatherings shall not exceed fifteen persons.
• Structural and use prohibitions:
  • STRs may not be in the same dwelling unit as rooming units.
  • May not be in income‑restricted or covenant‑restricted units, accessory apartments, lots with three or more dwelling units, or units violating the State Sanitary Code.
• Registration and inspection:
  • Annual registration and inspection required; renewal or change of operator/owner triggers re‑inspection.
• HOA/condominium consent:
  • Required when applicable (written evidence that the owner, condo association, and/or HOA has consented to STR use).
• Life‑safety and posting requirements:
  • Detectors, egress, rescue openings, and address posting per MA State Building Code.
  • Post required notices and contact information inside the STR.

State of Massachusetts:

• Room Occupancy Excise (G.L. c. 64G) applies to STRs; operators must collect and remit this excise tax.
• Short‑term rental community impact surcharge applies; operators must comply with the statutory requirements and make proper payments.
• Life‑safety systems must meet the current MA State Building Code (Smoke Alarms R314; Carbon Monoxide Alarms R315).
• Units in violation of the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410.3) are prohibited for STR use.

Middlesex County:

• No county‑specific STR licensing requirements were identified in the provided materials; operations are governed by Lexington municipal regulations and Massachusetts state law.

Sources: Lexington Zoning Bylaw §6.10; Short‑Term Rental Registration Requirements; Smoke and Carbon Checklist.

Contact Information

• Building and Zoning Office (permits, inspections, registration)
  • Phone: (781) 698‑4530
  • Application portal: lexingtonma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1088/record-types/1006639
• Zoning Department (general application questions)
  • Phone: (781) 698‑4534
• Zoning Administrator (bylaw/regulations questions)
  • Olivia Lawler
  • Phone: (781) 698‑4515
• Lexington Town Offices (main line)
  • Phone: (781) 862‑0500
  • Address: 1625 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420
  • Hours: Mon/Wed/Thu 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Tue 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Links to Source Pages

• Lexington Short‑Term Rentals (main page, overview and FAQs): www.lexingtonma.gov/591/Short-Term-Rentals
• Short‑Term Rental Registration Requirements (PDF): www.lexingtonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12234/Short-Term-Rental-Regulations
• Short‑Term Rental Bylaw (PDF; 2024 amendment): www.lexingtonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12235/Short-Term-Rental-Bylaw-amended-ATM-2024
• Smoke and Carbon Checklist (PDF): records.lexingtonma.gov/weblink/0/edoc/2499775/VPC%20Smoke%20and%20Carbon%20Checklist%20STRL.pdf
• Apply for Short‑Term Rental (ViewPointCloud portal): lexingtonma.viewpointcloud.com/categories/1088/record-types/1006639

Notes for investors

• The bylaw sharply limits investor‑type models: non‑owner‑occupied STRs are only viable for operator‑adjacent whole‑unit rentals and only on small multi‑unit lots (four or fewer units) where the operator lives on the same property; separate bedroom rentals are not permitted for operator‑adjacent STRs.
• If you are planning to rent multiple units or operate full‑time investor properties (without owner presence), Lexington’s bylaw will not accommodate that business model.