Holyoke, Massachusetts Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Holyoke, MA?

Short-term rentals are permitted in Holyoke, MA, but the city is currently in the process of establishing comprehensive regulations. As of the most recent city council meetings (March 2025), Holyoke has ordered the development of specific zoning ordinance amendments for short-term rentals, but these regulations are still pending final approval from the Planning Board. This means that while short-term rentals can operate, they exist in a regulatory gray area until the new ordinances are adopted.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Holyoke

Current Process (While Awaiting Final Regulations)

Verify Zoning Compliance: Confirm that your property is located in a zone that permits short-term rental activities
Monitor City Updates: Stay informed about the ongoing zoning ordinance amendments through city council meetings
Prepare Standard Requirements: While specific local rules are pending, prepare for common STR requirements

Recommended Preparation Steps

Property Assessment: Ensure your property meets basic housing and safety standards
Insurance Review: Verify your property insurance covers short-term rental activities
Documentation: Prepare essential documents such as property ownership proof, safety certificates, and emergency contact information

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Current Requirements

Based on available information, the following may be required once final regulations are adopted:

Registration/Licensing: Annual registration with the city (specific requirements pending)
Annual Inspections: Property safety and compliance inspections
Insurance Documentation: Proof of adequate liability coverage
Tax Registration: For collection and remittance of occupancy taxes

State-Level Requirements (Massachusetts)

According to Massachusetts law:

Room Occupancy Tax: 5.7% state excise tax on all rentals of 31 days or less
Local Option Excise Tax: Up to 6% local option tax (if adopted by Holyoke)
Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund: 2.75% excise tax (if applicable)

Specific Regulations by Level

City of Holyoke

Status: Regulations Under Development

The city council has formally ordered the development of short-term rental zoning amendments
Public hearings were held in 2023-2024: April 25, May 23, August 22, October 24, 2023, and January 23, 2024
Final regulations are pending Planning Board recommendation
Expected to include definitions, permit processes, and operational guidelines

Hampden County

No specific short-term rental regulations identified at the county level. County regulations would likely defer to municipal ordinances.

State of Massachusetts

Room Occupancy Tax Law:

Applies to all rentals of 31 days or less
5.7% state tax rate
Collection and remittance required by operators

Housing Standards:

Properties must comply with 105 CMR 410 (State Sanitary Code Chapter II)
Minimum standards for fitness for human habitation
Local health authorities enforce housing codes

Related Requirements:

Compliance with Massachusetts landlord-tenant laws
Adherence to consumer protection regulations (940 CMR 3.17)
Building and fire safety standards

Contact Information

Local Authority for STRs

City of Holyoke - City Council

Address: Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight St, Room 10, Holyoke, MA 01040
Phone: (413) 322-5525
Email: Anderson-BurgosJ@holyoke.org
Administrative Assistant: Jeffery Anderson-Burgos
Meeting Hours: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM (meeting days)
Regular Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

City of Holyoke - General Contact

Phone: (413) 322-5510
Address: 536 Dwight Street, Holyoke, MA 01040
Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday

Planning Department

Contact through City Hall for Planning Board recommendations
Responsible for finalizing STR zoning amendments

State Resources

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Housing code enforcement through Local Health Authorities
Website: mass.gov

Massachusetts Attorney General

Consumer protection guidance
Website: mass.gov

Source Links

Holyoke Ordinance Committee Meeting - March 19, 2025: www.holyoke.org/meetings/ordinance-committee-meeting-march-19-2025/
Holyoke Ordinance Committee Meeting - June 5, 2024: www.holyoke.org/meetings/ordinance-committee-meeting-june-5-2024/
Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Law: www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-landlord-and-tenant
STR Market Information: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/holyoke-massachusetts

Important Notes for Investors

Regulatory Uncertainty: Holyoke's STR regulations are still in development, creating potential compliance uncertainty
Timeline Considerations: The regulatory process has been ongoing since March 2023, suggesting complex policy considerations
Grandfathering: Unknown whether existing STRs will be grandfathered under new regulations
Zoning Impact: Final regulations may restrict STRs to certain zones or require special permits
Enforcement: Until new ordinances are adopted, enforcement may be limited or unclear

Recommendation: Monitor city council meetings and engage with local officials to understand the regulatory timeline and prepare for compliance once final regulations are adopted.

Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, that lies between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 38,247. Located 8 miles (13 km) north of Springfield, Holyoke is part of the Springfield Metropolitan Area, one of the two distinct metropolitan areas in Massachusetts. Holyoke is among the early planned industrial cities in the United States. Built in tandem with the Holyoke Dam to utilize the water power of Hadley Falls, it is one of a handful of cities in New England built on the grid plan. During the late 19th century the city produced an estimated 80% of the writing paper used in the United States and was home to the largest paper mill architectural firm in the country, as well as the largest paper, silk, and alpaca wool mills in the world. Although a considerably smaller number of businesses in Holyoke work in the paper industry today, it is still commonly referred to as "The Paper City". Today the city contains a number of specialty manufacturing companies, as well as the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, an intercollegiate research facility which opened in 2012. Holyoke is also home to the Volleyball Hall of Fame and known as the "Birthplace of Volleyball", as the internationally played Olympic sport was invented and first played at the local YMCA chapter by William G. Morgan in 1895.While managing the Holyoke Testing Flume in the 1880s, hydraulic engineer Clemens Herschel invented the Venturi meter to determine the water use of individual mills in the Holyoke Canal System. This device, the first accurate means of measuring large-scale flows, is widely used in a number of engineering applications today, including waterworks and carburators, as well as aviation instrumentation. Powered by these municipally-owned canals, Holyoke has among the lowest electricity costs in the Commonwealth, and as of 2016 between 85% and 90% of the city's energy was carbon neutral, with administrative goals in place to reach 100% in the future.

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