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Select Board staff report: short-term rental registration update — 1,058 permits issued; public-records release drew questions
Summary
Town staff reported April 9 that 1,058 short-term rental permits had been issued as of April 4, 2025, and that a public-records request produced a town-released list of registered properties.
Town staff provided written responses to public questions about short-term rental (STR) enforcement and registration at the April 9 Select Board meeting. The public-records responses and staffing approach were the focus of several public comments.
Key figures and staff responses Town staff told the board that as of April 4, 2025, the Health and Human Services Department had issued 1,058 short-term rental permits. In 2024 the town mailed more than 900 letters to property owners identified as potential short-term rentals encouraging registration; staff said no such letters had been sent in 2025 to date.
On public-records disclosures The town response also said that in response to a public records request under Massachusetts public records law, the town released a list of properties holding short-term rental permits. The released data included street name, city and ZIP code for each registered property. Multiple public commenters said they were concerned a released list might feed ongoing litigation or public safety and privacy concerns.
Questions for clarification and next steps During public comment, resident Rebecca Duhaime asked whether the permit application form will be amended to require additional documentation for applicants that are LLCs, trusts or corporations so that town staff can verify that ownership qualifies under local rules. Another commenter asked whether the town could identify who FOIAed (requested) the list; staff said public records requests are handled under state law and that records released per Massachusetts public records law become public information.
Separately, staff clarified zoning vs. legal residency issues for Article 47 (an article proposing a zoning definition of “year-round housing”). Staff said the proposed Article 47 definition for year-round housing — "housing that serves as the principal residence of the occupants for at least 10 months per year" — is based on Section 32 of Chapter 150, Acts of 2024 (the Affordable Homes Act) and is focused on use rather than a person’s legal residency for voting or taxation.
Ending note Town staff encouraged residents with follow-up questions to use the town website and provided email for housing inquiries; several speakers said they will seek further clarification before Town Meeting.
