Revere, Massachusetts Short-Term Rental Investment Guide

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?
Yes, Short-Term Rentals are explicitly allowed in Revere, Massachusetts, but only under strict regulations enforced by the City’s dedicated Short-Term Rental Office. The City passed a Short-Term Rental Ordinance on July 1, 2021, requiring mandatory registration, annual inspections, and compliance with occupancy, owner-residency, and use restrictions. Operating an unregistered STR after September 1, 2022, results in daily fines of $300. Room rentals or partial units are strictly prohibited – only entire residential units may be rented.

How to Start an STR Business in Revere

1. Verify Eligibility:

   • Confirm your property is a standalone residential unit (no room rentals).
   • Ensure you are the owner and your primary residence is in Revere. Out-of-state owners or non-primary residences are prohibited.
   • Obtain written permission from your condo/homeowners association if applicable.
   • Verify the unit is not deed-restricted or Section 8 funded.
   • Check for outstanding taxes, liens, or violations on the property.

2. Prepare Required Documentation:

   • Good Standing Certificate from Revere’s Inspectional Services Department (no code violations).
   • Good Standing Certificate from Revere’s Collector’s Office (no unpaid taxes/fees).
   • Massachusetts State Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate (see below).
   • Insurance Binder evidencing liability coverage of at least $250,000 per incident.
   • $300 Non-Refundable Registration Application Fee.

3. Complete State Registration:

   • Register your STR business with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) using MassTaxConnect.
   • Add a new account: "Room Occupancy Consolidated" tax type.
   • This registration covers your state-level tax obligations (e.g., the 5.7% State Room Occupancy Tax).

4. Schedule Inspections:

   • Initial Inspection: Book with the Office of Short Term Rental and the Fire Prevention Office.
   • Annual Renewal: Inspections are required every year to maintain registration.

5. Register with the City:

   • Submit your application and required documents through the City’s Online Registration Portal.
   • Registration is valid for one calendar year, requiring renewal by the end of January each year (post-inspection).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses & Guidelines

1. Revere City Requirements:

   • Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate (Annual): Issued by the Office of Short Term Rental after application, inspection, and payment. Must be renewed annually.
   • Good Standing Certificates: (2)
     • From the Inspectional Services Department (American Legion Building Basement, 249R Broadway) – No outstanding violations.
     • From the Collector’s Office (Revere City Hall, 281 Broadway) – No unpaid taxes/fees.
   • Certificate of Insurance: Binder showing Liability Coverage ≥ $250,000 per incident.
   • Massachusetts State Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate.
   • Fire Department Inspection Approval.
   • STR Office Inspection Approval.
   • Written HOA/Condo Association Permission (if applicable).
   • $300 Non-Refundable Application Fee.

2. Massachusetts State Requirements:

   • Room Occupancy Consolidated Tax Registration: Mandatory through MassTaxConnect for collecting/remitting state lodging taxes. Note: While secondary sources mention specific tax rates (e.g., 5.7%), consult the MassTaxConnect portal or DOR for the current exact rate and applicable local taxes in Revere.

3. Key Operational Guidelines:

   • Maximum Occupancy: 2 persons per bedroom, max 6 guests total (excluding children under 12).
   • Rental Term: Stays under 30 days.
   • Owner Status: Owner must reside in Revere as their primary residence. No subletting allowed.
   • Use Restrictions: No room rentals, sublets, or commercial rentals. Entire unit only.
   • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate guest logs for 3 years.
   • Prohibited Units: Deed-restricted/Section 8 units, units in HOAs prohibiting STRs, units with owners delinquent in local taxes/fees, or units with 3+ violations/year.

Specific Regulations in Revere (City), Suffolk County, and Massachusetts (State)

• Revere City (Strictest Regulations Apply):

  • Prohibition: Room rentals, sublets, units not owner’s primary residence, deed-restricted/Section 8 units, units in non-permitting HOAs, units with delinquent owners, units with 3+ violations/year.
  • Registration: Mandatory annual registration with city portal.
  • Inspection: Mandatory annual inspection by STR Office and Fire Dept.
  • Fee: $300 Non-Refundable city registration fee.
  • Occupancy: Max 2/bedroom, 6 total guests (exc. <12 yrs).
  • Owner-Residency: Required - Owner must have Revere primary address.
  • Insurance: Min $250,000 liability coverage required.
  • Enforcement: $300/day fines for unregistered STRs post 9/1/2022.
  • Documentation: Good standing certs (Inspections & Collector’s Office), State cert, Insurance binder.
  • Logs: Maintain guest records for 3 years.

• Suffolk County: No county-specific STR regulations were found in the sources. City ordinances supersede county rules.

• Massachusetts State: No STR-specific state law beyond tax registration and the Room Occupancy Tax was found in the provided sources. State health, safety, and housing codes (e.g., 105 CMR 410) apply, and local health authorities enforce them. State tax registration (MassTaxConnect) is mandatory.

Contact Information (Local Authority for STRs)

Office of Short Term Rental (City of Revere)

• Address: 249R Broadway, Revere, MA 02151 (American Legion Building - Basement)
• Phone: 781-485-8479
• Email: ncatinazzo@revere.org (Director Nicholas Catinazzo)
  • [Alternate Email:] vardpenzio@revere.org (Officer Vincent Argenzio)
• Portal: Revere STR Registration Portal
• Hours: Mon-Thu: 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM; Fri: 8:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Key City Departments Involved:

• Inspectional Services Department (Good Standing - Violations): 781-286-8311
  • Address: American Legion Building - Basement, 249R Broadway, Revere, MA 02151
• Collector’s Office (Good Standing - Taxes/Fees): 781-286-8120
  • Address: Revere City Hall, 281 Broadway, Revere, MA 02151

Massachusetts Department of Revenue (State Tax Registration):

• MassTaxConnect: https://mtc.dor.state.ma.us/mtc/
• Trustee Tax Contact Center (If needed for verification): 617-887-6367 (Choose #4, then #3)

Links to Source Pages

1. City of Revere - Office of Short-Term Rental (Primary Source): https://www.revere.org/departments/short-term-rental-office (Contains Ordinance Details, Registration Portal, Key Provisions, FAQs, Contacts, State Registration Steps, Fees)
2. City of Revere - News Article (Office Opening & Enforcement): https://www.revere.org/news/post/the-city-of-revere-s-short-term-rental-office-officially-opens-july-1 (Announces Ordinance, Office, Enforcement Notice, Fines)
3. Revere Short-Term Rental Ordinance (PDF): https://cdn.branchcms.com/GB7r14nbKy-1182/docs/ShortTermRentalOrdinanceRevised.PublicHearingNotice.pdf (Official Legal Text)
4. State of Massachusetts - MassTaxConnect (State Tax Registration): https://mtc.dor.state.ma.us/mtc/
5. Mass.gov - Landlord & Tenant Laws (State Health/Safety Codes - General Context): https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-landlord-and-tenant

Always verify current regulations and fees directly with the City of Revere’s Office of Short Term Rental or the official City website before making investment decisions. Laws and fees can change.