Special to the Times-Free Press
Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, joined by Councilor Sharon Durkan and Council President Ruthzee Louijeune , convened an oversight hearing in the Committee on Housing and Community Development chaired by Councilor Liz Breadon on Thursday, October 30, 2025. The hearing examined the City’s enforcement of Boston’s short-term rental (STR) ordinance and identified areas for improvement.
The hearing brought together officials from the Inspectional Services Department (ISD), residents, and housing advocates to discuss ongoing challenges in curbing illegal short-term rental activity, particularly in neighborhoods like the North End and East Boston where residents continue to experience disruptions from unlicensed and transient rentals.
“Boston’s short-term rental ordinance was designed to preserve our housing stock and protect our neighborhoods from becoming hotel corridors,” said Councilor Coletta Zapata. “Yet years later, we still see widespread violations, limited enforcement, and loopholes that allow some bad actors to slip through the cracks. Our residents deserve accountability and peace in their homes.”
During the hearing, residents from East Boston and the North End described the persistent quality-of-life impacts caused by illegal short-term rentals operating in their buildings. They shared accounts of late-night noise, improper trash disposal, and safety concerns that have become commonplace despite repeated reports to City departments. Others underscored how the misuse of “hospital stay” exemptions and other loopholes has allowed absentee landlords to continue running short-term rentals under false pretenses, undermining the intent of the ordinance and eroding neighborhood stability. At the same time, some residents noted that responsible home-sharing, when properly licensed and regulated, can provide supplemental income and community benefit—reinforcing the need for consistent, fair enforcement.
City officials acknowledged several weaknesses in the current regulatory framework, including limited staffing capacity and enforcement tools that have not kept pace with the volume of complaints. The hearing highlighted recurring loopholes around the “extended stay” exemption that are often difficult to verify and easily abused by noncompliant operators. Councilors also noted that some platforms frequently fail to remove illegal listings promptly, allowing repeat offenders to continue operating by re-registering under new names.
Councilors and administration officials discussed several steps to strengthen oversight and improve compliance citywide, including:
• Raising fines and introducing recurring daily penalties for repeat violators.
• Reviewing or eliminating problematic exemptions that have been used to evade compliance.
• Re-establishing a dedicated hearing officer within ISD to expedite enforcement actions.
• Enhancing interdepartmental coordination between ISD, Code Enforcement, and the Boston Police Department.
• Implementing new technology to monitor listings and automate delisting of noncompliant units.
Coletta Zapata plans to continue this work into 2026 through a series of legislative and oversight actions. Her office intends to collaborate with various departments to discuss potential fixes aimed at closing loopholes and enhancing enforcement authority.
In partnership with residents, housing advocates, and fellow councilors, she will prioritize ensuring that Boston’s short-term rental policies protect both the city’s housing supply and neighborhood quality of life, and that enforcement mechanisms are strong enough to deter violations before they occur.
A recording of the hearing can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93iuyblsgA4
For additional information please contact the Office of Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata by phone at (617) 635-3200 or by email at [email protected].