The Chatham Board of Health passed a regulation requiring all short term rentals to be registered with the Town. The purpose of this Regulation is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of occupants of short-term rental units and the public; to ensure that properties are being used in a manner that will not stress the Town's water or sewer infrastructure, or the property's septic infrastructure, and not negatively impact the quality of life in residential neighborhoods. The Short Term Rental Property Regulation went into effect July 1, 2023.
- A short term rental is defined as a residential dwelling, or any bedroom within a dwelling, rented out for thirty (30) days or less.
- For the purposes of registration, the rental season is said to begin on March 1. All short term rental property owners are required to submit a rental permit application by February 28.
- The rental permit must be renewed annually.
- Any short term rental required to be registered with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pursuant to the applicable provision of General Laws Chapter 64G shall also be required to register with the Board of Health under this Regulation.
- The short term registration fee is initially set at $50.00.
- The maximum number of occupants shall be two per legal bedroom (as defined by the Board of Health Regulations and approved septic plan/sewer connection) plus two additional occupants.
- The rental certificate is issued to the owner of the property and is non-transferable. New owners must obtain a new rental registration certificate after transfer of the property.
- The Town-issued registration certificate number must be included in all rental listings.
- Violations of the regulation may result in a fine of two hundred dollars per day. Each day of the violation is considered to be a separate violation.
