TOWN OF WELLFLEET
Short-Term Rental Registration Program
A simple guide for Wellfleet short-term rental owners
How We Got Here & Why Did Wellfleet Adopt a Short-Term Rental Bylaw?
To understand why the Town of Wellfleet adopted a short-term rental bylaw, it is helpful to understand two important actions taken at the state level that directly affect short-term rental properties.
The first is the Massachusetts Short-Term Rental Act of 2018, which established a statewide framework for short-term rentals, applied occupancy taxes to rental stays, and authorized municipalities to adopt local regulations governing short-term rental operations. The second is the 10th Edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code. Beginning in 2025, the code requires annual safety inspections for all dwelling units offered as short-term rentals. These inspections are intended to help ensure that rental properties meet basic life-safety standards for guests.
In response to these state requirements, the Town of Wellfleet adopted a local short-term rental bylaw to create a clear process for registration, inspection, and compliance. The bylaw is designed to help protect the safety of residents and visitors and ensure that rental properties meet applicable state and local standards.
For some owners, compliance is straightforward: register your property, pay the applicable fees and complete the required annual safety inspection, However, we also understand that any new requirements and related procedures can be confusing and somewhat challenging. It is our hope that this website will help to guide you through each step of the process and answer common questions along the way. Town staff are available to assist you and help make the process as simple as possible.
A Simple Guide for Wellfleet Short-Term Rental Owners
We created this site to explain the new short-term rental bylaw in the simplest way possible. This site is not only meant to help beginners; it is our hope that this site will also assist anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of how the bylaw works and what the new requirements are for property owners this year.
As a Short-Term Rental Owner, What Do I Do First?
The following guide outlines each step required to register and schedule an inspection for your Short-Term Rental (STR) unit in the Town of Wellfleet. The intent of this guide is to walk applicants through the entire process from start to finish in a clear and easy-to-follow manner.
We understand that not everyone is comfortable navigating online registration systems and that some applicants may require additional assistance. If you need help at any point during the registration process, please contact Housing Coordinator Ann Schiffenhaus at 508-379-3786 or by email at ann.schiffenhaus@wellfleet-ma.gov. Town staff will be happy to assist you.
Step Three
Payment
In addition to the rental address, the registrant will be required to pay the registration fee, which is a flat $420 ($300 for registration and $120 for inspection*). *Inspection fees may be waived for year-round residents requiring an inspection every three years, not annually.
Payment can be made online via credit card or by check mailed to 300 Main St., Wellfleet, MA 02667. Payable to the Town of Wellfleet with STR # in the memo field.
Please note, if you choose to send a payment to the Town rather than paying online, your registration will be approved once payment has been received and processed.
Step Five
Inspection
An inspection can be scheduled by the property owner or agent once payment is received and the application is approved. An email will be sent to the property owner or agent with a link to our 3rd party software, OpenGov, to schedule an inspection.
Step Seven
Inspection Approval
All Short-Term Rental properties must be registered, paid in full, passed inspection, and have been issued a Short-Term Rental Certificate in order for prospective tenants to obtain a beach sticker. The Short-Term Rental Certificate will be updated in the beach sticker system.
Step Two
Required Information
After clicking on the registration page, you will be forwarded to the Town's 3rd party vendor, OpenGov. To register, you will need the address of the Short-Term Rental. If registering as an agent, LLC, or family member, please upload an owner authorization note signed by the owner. Remember, each rental unit on a property requires its own registration, fee payment and inspection.
Step Four
Application Review
Once your registration is submitted and payment is processed, your application will be reviewed to ensure compliance with Town regulations. This helps guarantee every rental meets all state & local requirements.
Schedule an Inspection & What to Expect
Inspections occur Monday–Thursday between 10am–4pm.
The inspector checks for the following: properly functioning smoke and CO detectors, two means of egress, stair railings, deck railings, and a fence around swimming pools.
Rental Exceptions
Certificates are NOT required for rentals exceeding 31 days or for guests who are not charged for their stay (e.g. family/friends).
Note: Unpaid guests may require a signed permission letter for beach stickers.
Common Property Owner Questions
Below Please Find a Listing of Some of the Most Common Questions We've Received
What are the first steps to take to register?
You can begin immediately through Wellfleet’s online registration portal by following the guide starting with Step One. If you require any assistance, please contact our Housing Coordinator, Ann Schiffenhaus, at 508-349-3786 or via email at ann.schiffenhaus@wellfleet-ma.gov. We are here to help you navigate the entire registration and inspection process.
Are there guidelines for how many guests can stay?
The regulation restricts guest counts to two per bedroom, plus two additional people.
What happens if I miss a registry step?
If you missed something, the system will not allow you to submit an incomplete application. All mandatory fields must be completed before the system will allow you to submit the registration application.
When will the Town visit my home?
The Town of Wellfleet uses a third-party software platform, OpenGov, for registration and scheduling inspections. When you schedule an inspection date online through OpenGov, the visit will happen within a six-hour timeframe. Inspections occur Monday - Thursday 10am - 4pm.
Am I required to be there in-person when the Building Inspector Performs the Inspection?
No, property owners or agents need not be present during the inspection. If you cannot attend, please provide clear entry instructions for the Building Inspector in the "Notes" field on the inspection scheduling page.
If I am already registered with the State of Massachusetts Department of Revenue, am I still required to register with the Town of Wellfleet Short-Term Rental Registration program?
Yes, the registration with the Town of Wellfleet is separate from the State's Department of Revenue registration system.
If I have registered and have not received a confirmation email, what should I do next?
One of the challenges we have learned of is OpenGov confirmation emails not going directly into applicant's email inboxes. Instead, the confirmation email is landing in either the applicant's "spam" folder or in their "archive" folder. Therefore, if you've gone through the entire process and do not receive a confirmation email, please check both your email spam folder and you archive folder as the confirmation email may have incorrectly landed in one of those folders instead of your inbox folder.
Is there a website where I can learn about Massachusetts smoke detector and carbon monoxide requirements?
Yes. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security provides a helpful guide titled "Preparing Your Home for a Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Inspection." This resource explains the smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements that homeowners must meet in order to pass a safety inspection and obtain compliance.
In addition, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services offers a comprehensive "Guide to Massachusetts Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Requirements," which outlines the specific alarm requirements based on factors such as the age of your home and any renovations that may have occurred. Please use the links provided below to access these resources directly. They will help you determine which alarms are required, where they must be installed, and what is needed to successfully pass your inspection.
Still have questions about your Wellfleet rental?
If you’re not sure how the rules apply to your home, or you just want to double-check a detail, send us your question. Town staff will review it and get back to you with clear, helpful guidance.