Overview: STR Legality in Sandwich, MA

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Sandwich, MA as of 2025, but property owners must comply with mandatory registration and inspection requirements established under the Massachusetts State Building Code. The town defines STRs broadly to include owner-occupied, tenant-occupied, or non-owner-occupied properties such as houses, apartments, condos, or rooms rented for 1-30 consecutive days, excluding traditional hotels/motels. All STRs must be transient (not rented month-to-month).

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Sandwich

1. Confirm Property Eligibility: Verify your property meets Sandwich's STR definition (1-30 day stays, transient nature, excludes traditional lodging).
2. Prepare Required Documents: Download and complete the "1 STR Registration Instructions with Sample Plan" (PDF from Sandwich website). Create a floor plan as required.
3. Create Permit Eyes Account: Register at the Sandwich Permit Eyes portal by clicking "New User Register Here!".
4. Submit Registration Application: Log into your account, select "New Application", then choose "Application To Registration for COI (Short Term Rentals)".
5. Pay Registration & Inspection Fees: Submit $250 ($150 annual registration + $100 first inspection fee). Payment is made online via the Permit Eyes portal (credit card, EFT, Google Pay). Checks/money orders payable to "Town of Sandwich" are also accepted at the Building Department (100 Route 6A).
6. Schedule Required Inspection: After successful application submission and fee payment, contact the Building Department (508-888-4200) to schedule the mandatory annual inspection.
7. Maintain Compliance: Complete the registration by July 1, 2025. Notify the town immediately if you cease STR operations (email building@sandwichmass.org with address and confirmation).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Mandatory STR Registration Application: Submitted through the online Permit Eyes portal for "Application To Registration for COI (Short Term Rentals)".
• Floor Plan: Required attachment for the registration application. Use the sample plan from the "1 STR Registration Instructions with Sample Plan" (PDF).
• Certificate of Inspection (COI): Issued after passing the mandatory annual inspection by the Sandwich Building Department Short-Term Rental Inspector (Brendan Brides). The registration requires passing this inspection.
• Payment of Fees: $250 total fee ($150 annual registration + $100 first inspection) must be paid to obtain the COI.
• Compliance with Massachusetts Room Occupancy Excise Tax: STRs are subject to the tax under G.L. c. 64G (see Mass.gov STR FAQs).

Specific Regulations (Town, County, State)

1. Sandwich Town Requirements (Mandatory):

   • Registration: All STR owners (owner/non-owner/tenant-occupied) must register their property with the Town by July 1, 2025.
   • Definition: STRs are properties/furnished accommodations (excluding hotels/motels/boarding houses/inns/B&Bs) rented for 1-30 consecutive days, reserved in advance, and transient in nature (no month-to-month).
   • Inspection: A mandatory annual inspection by the Sandwich Building Department is required to obtain a COI. Schedule via 508-888-4200 after registration/payment.
   • Fees: $250 ($150 registration + $100 inspection) payable online or at Town Hall.
   • Ceasing Operations: Owners must notify the Building Department (building@sandwichmass.org) if they stop operating an STR.

2. Barnstable County (Regional): No specific STR regulations identified in the provided content for Sandwich within the county framework.

3. Massachusetts State Regulations (Applicable):

   • Room Occupancy Excise Tax: STRs are taxed under G.L. c. 64G. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue provides STR-specific tax FAQs at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/short-term-rentals-frequently-asked-questions. The Sandwich Town Manager's office linked to these state FAQs in 2019.
   • State Building Code Basis: Sandwich's new 2025 STR registration requirement is explicitly stated as being established by the Massachusetts State Building Code.

Contact Information

• Sandwich Building Department (STR Registration & Inspection Authority)
  • Phone: 508-888-4200
  • Email: building@sandwichmass.org (for STR registration notifications/cessation)
  • Address: 100 Route 6A, Sandwich, MA 02563
  • Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • STR Inspector: Brendan Brides (Title mentioned on contact page)
  • General Town Contact: (508) 888-5144 (Main Switchboard / Website Contact)
• Massachusetts Department of Revenue (STR Tax FAQs): https://www.mass.gov/info-details/short-term-rentals-frequently-asked-questions

Links to Source Pages

1. Sandwich STR Registration (Primary Source): https://www.sandwichmass.org/1733/Short-Term-Rental-Registration - Contains official town requirements, definition, registration portal link, fees, deadlines, inspection process, contact info, and links to required documents (STR Registration Instructions & Fee Schedule).
2. CapeCod.com News Article (Confirmation of Rules): https://www.capecod.com/newscenter/new-rules-impacting-sandwich-short-term-rental-owners/ - Confirms Sandwich implemented new STR rules aligned with MA State Building Code, includes official town definition of STRs.
3. Sandwich Town Manager News Archive (STR Tax Reference): https://sandwichmass.org/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=57&ARC=456 - Links to the state's STR room occupancy excise tax FAQs (G.L. c. 64G) published by the Sandwich Town Manager in 2019.
4. Sandwich Permit Eyes Online Portal: https://permiteyes.us/sandwich/loginuser.php - Online portal for submitting the mandatory STR registration application and paying associated fees.