Note on scope and source: This guide summarizes Quincy’s municipal short‑term rental (STR) ordinance and related state requirements based on the provided documents. Always confirm zoning and registration details with the City of Quincy Department of Inspectional Services (DIS) before acquisition or operation.

1) Are short‑term rentals allowed in Quincy, MA?

• Yes, but with significant restrictions. STRs are expressly prohibited in the Residence A zoning district.
• Outside Residence A, STRs are permitted only for:
  • Home‑share units,
  • Limited‑share units,
  • Owner‑adjacent units in two‑ or three‑family dwellings where the owner‑occupant resides and serves as the operator.
• STRs are not allowed on properties where the operator does not live on‑site (no off‑site “absentee landlord” operations).

2) How to start a short‑term rental business in Quincy

A practical, step‑by‑step pathway:

• 1. Pre‑purchase due diligence
  • Verify the property is not in Residence A (RA) zoning.
  • Confirm ownership occupancy feasibility for the chosen unit type (see 2) below).
  • Check for any outstanding health, zoning, or fire code violations at the property.
• 2. Choose the permitted STR type
  • Home‑share unit: Your primary residence; up to three bedrooms and six guests.
  • Limited‑share unit: Your primary residence; you remain present during stays; up to two bedrooms or four guests; one bedroom must remain for the operator.
  • Owner‑adjacent unit: Not your primary residence, but within the same two‑ or three‑family dwelling where you live; in three‑family dwellings you may use at most one owner‑adjacent unit as an STR; must be rented as a whole unit to one party (no separate bedroom rentals).
• 3. Align governance and operations
  • Confirm condo/HOA or other governing documents allow STRs.
  • Secure liability insurance appropriate for STR use.
• 4. Prepare for inspections
  • Fire safety inspection by the Quincy Fire Department (must pass within 30 days of registration).
  • Health inspection by the City’s Health Department (must pass before offering the unit).
• 5. Register with the City (DIS)
  • Submit an annual STR registration through DIS. Provide operator details, unit address, classification (limited share/home‑share/owner‑adjacent), and a local contact who can respond in your absence.
  • Include the registration number in every listing and post the safety signage inside the unit.
• 6. Operational requirements
  • Parking: Provide at least one off‑street parking space per STR unit (in addition to the owner’s space).
  • Listing and recordkeeping: Display registration number in listings; keep records demonstrating primary‑residence occupancy and ownership; maintain logs of STR days offered.
  • Notices: Notify abutters within 300 feet at least 30 days prior to registration.
• 7. Taxes and community impact
  • Collect and remit Massachusetts Room Occupancy Excise (typically 5.7%), and, if adopted by Quincy, a local room occupancy tax up to 6% and an optional community impact fee up to 3%.
• 8. Ongoing compliance
  • Maintain insurance, keep inspections current, respond to complaints, and re‑register annually. If you change operator status or cease to be a primary resident, you must immediately notify DIS.

Important operational limits:

• You may only offer one whole unit listing at a time.
• If you are away from the home‑share unit for more than seven consecutive days, rent it as a whole unit to one party (no separate bedroom rentals to multiple parties).
• Owner‑adjacent units must be rented as whole units only (no separate bedroom listings).

3) Documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Registration
  • Annual STR registration with DIS; classification and local contact required.
  • Certification that STR complies with condo/HOA and all applicable laws.
• Inspections
  • Quincy Fire Department fire safety inspection (pass within 30 days of registration).
  • City Health Department inspection (pass before offering the unit).
• Insurance
  • Liability insurance appropriate for STR operations (required).
• Records and notices
  • Maintain proof of primary‑residence occupancy (e.g., utility bills, voter registration, vehicle registration, deed/lease, driver’s license/ID).
  • Ownership documentation and STR days offered must be retained and made available to DIS on request.
  • Abutter notice within 300 feet at least 30 days prior to registration.
• Taxes
  • Massachusetts Room Occupancy Excise (state), currently 5.7%; Quincy may add a local room occupancy tax up to 6% and a community impact fee up to 3% if accepted by the City.

4) Specific regulations for STRs (City, County, State)

• Zoning and eligibility
  • STRs prohibited in Residence A zoning.
  • Not allowed in income‑restricted or below‑market‑rate units, nor where any state/federal/local law prohibits STR leasing or subleasing.
  • If the property has two or more ordinance violations within six months, or three or more violations within twelve months (relating to noise, trash, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, etc.), it becomes ineligible.
• Classifications and occupancy
  • Home‑share: up to three bedrooms, six guests.
  • Limited‑share: up to two bedrooms or four guests; operator present; one bedroom reserved for operator.
  • Owner‑adjacent: only in two‑ or three‑family dwellings where the owner‑occupant lives and serves as operator; whole‑unit rental only.
• Registration and fees
  • Annual registration required via DIS; registration tied to both unit and operator and does not transfer automatically upon sale.
  • Fees: Limited‑share $50; Home‑share $200; Owner‑adjacent $200.
• Inspections
  • Fire safety and health inspections are mandatory before offering the unit; failure to pass revokes eligibility.
• Insurance, listing, and parking
  • Liability insurance required.
  • Registration number must be displayed in listings; safety signage inside the unit.
  • At least one off‑street parking space per STR unit (additional to the owner’s space).
• Taxes
  • State Room Occupancy Excise applies; Quincy may impose up to 6% local room occupancy tax and up to 3% community impact fee, as accepted by the City.
• Enforcement and penalties
  • Offering ineligible units: $200 per violation per day.
  • Other violations: $100 per violation per day; each day of noncompliance counts as a separate violation.
  • Registration violations: $100 per day until registration is complete.
  • Enforcement via non‑criminal civil disposition (G.L. c. 40, §21D) or court injunction.
• Complaint and hearing process
  • Complaints filed with DIS; investigated within 30 days.
  • Violation notices served by certified and first‑class mail.
  • Operator may request a hearing within 14 days; hearing held within 21 days; decision issued within 7 days.
  • Violations must be remedied per notice; continued noncompliance constitutes separate daily violations.

State‑level context (Massachusetts):

• The state’s Room Occupancy Excise is the principal tax on transient accommodations (short‑term rentals). Quincy may adopt local add‑ons as described above.

5) Contact information for the local authority in charge of STRs

City of Quincy, Department of Inspectional Services (DIS)

• Address: 1305 Hancock St, Quincy, MA 02169
• Phone: (617) 376‑1000
• Hours: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Monday–Friday
• DIS manages STR registration, inspections, and enforcement. For STR matters, coordinate through DIS; they will involve Fire and Health departments as needed.

6) Source pages (links)

• Quincy Municipal Code amendment establishing STR registration, classifications, inspections, fees, enforcement, taxes, and community impact fee:
  • ecode360.com/QU3125/laws/LF1403085.pdf
• Patriot Ledger coverage (Mar 31, 2021) summarizing STR rules, including the Residence A ban and operator on‑site requirement:
  • www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2021/03/31/quincy-airbnbs-now-subject-new-laws-city/4820245001/
• Daly Appraisal blog post (Jun 15) describing enforcement against two STRs and noting 65 STRs that stopped operating:
  • www.dalyappraisal.com/blog/airbnb-news-quincy-and-homeowners-at-odds-over-short-term-rentals
• City of Quincy Inspectional Services – Building Department page:
  • www.quincyma.gov/departments/inspectional_services/inspectional_services_departments/building.php
• Quincy Municipal Code access (see link on the City’s Inspectional Services page):
  • ecode360.com/QU3125

Practical takeaway for investors:

• The market is open outside Residence A and limited to owner‑occupied configurations. Thorough zoning checks, inspections, and timely registration are non‑negotiable. Enforcement is active, and penalties accrue daily; compliance systems and professional management will materially reduce risk.