Salem, MA local landlord rules
State law also applies. See Massachusetts landlord-tenant law and the Massachusetts landlord FAQ. State rules: Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Late fees · Eviction notice (nonpayment) · Rent increase notice.
Quick facts
| Topic | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Short-term rentals (Airbnb) | Yes. Every new owner or operator must complete a registration form and obtain a certificate of fitness before offering a unit as a short-term rental (under 30 consecutive days). Units where the operator or owner doesn't live in the unit, the building or on the property are generally not eligible, subject to an exception for certain existing non-owner-occupied units. |
| Rental inspections | Rental units are subject to city inspection. The code states: "Every three years, each rental unit shall be inspected to ensure compliance with the state sanitary code and city ordinances" (§ 2-705). |
| Tenant relocation assistance | Tenants are entitled to relocation assistance in specified cases. |
Details & sources
Short-term rentals (Airbnb)
Yes. Every new owner or operator must complete a registration form and obtain a certificate of fitness before offering a unit as a short-term rental (under 30 consecutive days). Units where the operator or owner doesn't live in the unit, the building or on the property are generally not eligible, subject to an exception for certain existing non-owner-occupied units.
Verified Source: Salem Code of Ordinances §§ 15-2, 15-4, 15-6 (Browser transcription) · last checked 2026-10-15
Back to quick facts ↑Rental inspections
Rental units are subject to city inspection. The code states: "Every three years, each rental unit shall be inspected to ensure compliance with the state sanitary code and city ordinances" (§ 2-705).
Verified Source: Salem Code of Ordinances § 2-705 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Tenant relocation assistance
Tenants are entitled to relocation assistance in specified cases. The code states: "Tenants with a disability, are low to moderate income or qualify as adult tenants shall receive a relocation benefit of $8,000.00 per unit" (§ 51-5).
Verified Source: Salem Code of Ordinances § 51-5 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Research coverage
0 of 13 topics checked at the local level (state law is covered on the state page). A topic counts as checked only when every subtopic in it is checked or no additional requirement was found after a recorded full read. How coverage works.
| Topic | Status | Subtopics done |
|---|---|---|
| Deposits | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Deposit return deadlines | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Rent increases and rent control | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Late fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Landlord entry | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Repairs and habitability | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Screening and application fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Fair housing and assistance animals | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Disclosures | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Renewal and termination | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Eviction | Partially researched | 1 of 3 |
| Registration and licensing | Partially researched | 1 of 3 |
| Short-term rentals | Partially researched | 1 of 2 |
Also applies statewide
Massachusetts rules that also apply in Salem:
- Security deposit limit
- A security deposit of no more than the first month's rent. A landlord may also collect first and last month's rent and the cost of a new lock and key. Verified Source: M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Massachusetts security deposit limit page
- Deposit return deadline
- Within 30 days after the tenancy ends: return the deposit or balance. Any deduction for damage needs a sworn, itemized list plus estimates, bills, or receipts within the same 30 days, or the right to keep any of it is lost. Verified Source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4) · last checked 2026-10-22 · Full Massachusetts deposit return deadline page
- Notice to enter
- A residential lease may let the landlord enter only to inspect, make repairs or show the unit; the landlord may also enter under a court order, if the unit appears abandoned, or in the last 30 days of the tenancy to inspect for damage. Statute text: "No lease relating to residential real property shall contain a provision that a lessor may, except to inspect the premises, to make repairs thereto or to show the same to a prospective tenant, purchaser, mortgagee or its agents, enter the premises before the termination date of such lease" (Mass. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(a)). Verified Source: Mass. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(a) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full Massachusetts notice to enter page
- Late fees
- No interest or penalty for late rent until 30 days after the rent was due. Verified Source: M.G.L. c. 186 § 15B(1)(c) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Massachusetts late fees page
Other Massachusetts cities
- Amesbury landlord rules
- Amherst landlord rules
- Boston landlord rules
- Brockton landlord rules
- Brookline landlord rules
- Cambridge landlord rules
- Cheshire landlord rules
- Eastham landlord rules
- Fairhaven landlord rules
- Fall River landlord rules
- Framingham landlord rules
- Lawrence landlord rules
- Lowell landlord rules
- Lynn landlord rules
- Malden landlord rules
- Nantucket landlord rules
- Orleans landlord rules
- Otis landlord rules
- Quincy landlord rules
- Somerville landlord rules
- South Hadley landlord rules
- Springfield landlord rules
- Town of Barnstable landlord rules
- Town of Clarksburg landlord rules
- Town of Rockport landlord rules
- Westfield landlord rules
- Westwood landlord rules
- Williamstown landlord rules
- Winthrop landlord rules
- Worcester landlord rules
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