City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Salem, MA
How Salem regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Rules here limit which homes may operate as short-term rentals, how many, where, or for how many nights a year.
- Primary-residence required
- Residential-zoning exclusion
- Registration required
- Inspection required
- Active enforcement
Based on: City of Salem Code of Ordinances Ch. 15 (Short-Term Residential Rentals) + Salem Zoning Ordinance STR use provisions
Summary of the rule
Salem Code of Ordinances Ch. 15 (Short-Term Residential Rentals), Ord. of 9-27-2018 as amended through 04-11-2024: §15-4(a)(1) makes ineligible any residential unit where the operator/owner does not live in the unit, building, or property and it is not the operator's primary residence, UNLESS it qualifies under the §15-6(4) existing-non-owner-occupied exception (STR use as of the ordinance filing date + ZBA special permit petitioned within 60 days). Permitted STR categories (home share, limited share, owner-adjacent — §15-2 defns, §15-6(2)/(3)/(5)) are all tied to the operator's owner-occupied primary residence (6 of past 12 months). §15-4(a)(6) additionally bars more than two units per building (eff. 4-12-2024). In-force primary-residence supply device.
Last reviewed Sep 9, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Salem · system last checked Oct 24, 2026
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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.