🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Shelburne, MA

A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.

Shelburne Approves New Rules to Curb STR Growth and Preserve Housing

At this year’s Annual Town Meeting, Shelburne residents voted in favor of a new bylaw to regulate short-term rentals, marking a big step in the town’s response to housing pressure and rising STR activity.

The bylaw, approved during the second night of the meeting, establishes strict rules for operating a short-term rental within town limits. While it does not ban STRs outright, it sets clear boundaries: non-owner-occupied STRs will no longer be permitted going forward. Meanwhile, existing non-resident operators are still allowed to continue temporarily under a “grandfather” clause—but only until their property is sold.

Planning Board Chair John Wheeler laid out the rationale, citing rapid STR growth and an extremely tight rental market.

“There are 37 listings in Shelburne,” Wheeler said, “and around two-thirds are located in the village area.” He noted that STR listings across Franklin County have grown by about 20% annually, while the vacancy rate for long-term rentals is “near zero.”

This housing crunch—paired with growing concern about the impacts of corporate STR operators—prompted Shelburne to act. Under the new bylaw, all STR owners must register with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, apply for a special permit from the town, and undergo safety inspections by local health, fire, and building officials. They’ll also be required to provide emergency contact info and maintain liability insurance.

The aim is to ensure STRs don’t jeopardize safety or quality of life for neighbors, while also discouraging speculative investment from outside the community.

Wheeler emphasized that the bylaw is about protecting the character of Shelburne’s neighborhoods and preventing further erosion of its housing stock. It’s a proactive move in a region where more and more properties are being bought up for short-term use, putting pressure on affordability and availability.

For current STR hosts, particularly those who don’t reside in the homes they rent out, the clock is ticking. The new bylaw gives them six months to meet its standards, but long-term compliance will depend on ongoing residency and adherence to local rules.

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