City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Harwich, MA
How Harwich regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Short-term rentals here operate under a registration or permit system with ongoing operating rules.
- Registration required
- Inspection required
Based on: Town Code Ch.230 (Rental Dwellings), adopted STM 5-5-2009; Zoning Bylaw Ch.325 (use table)
Summary of the rule
Harwich Code Ch. 230 (Rental Dwellings), adopted STM 5-5-2009 Art.1: §230-1 any owner/agent offering any building or portion for rent/lease for 90 days or less must first register with the Building Official, who determines legal occupancy; §230-3 posted certificate of registration. Three-section bylaw — registration + occupancy-determination PROCESS only; NO cap, per-owner/per-parcel limit, primary-residence requirement, night-cap, or supply device.
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 9, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Harwich · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch tracks changes from public sources — council agendas, state bills, local news — not a complete legal compendium.
A city permit is not the whole picture — HOA, condominium, deed, or lease rules may be stricter.
City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.