(C0344-18; C0035-20; amended as part of October 2021 update)
The city council may grant, by petition, innholders’ licenses and lodging house licenses, as the public good requires and subject to terms and conditions as it sees fit, to such parties deemed appropriate, subject to the provisions of these Revised Ordinances and applicable state statutes.
(C0344-18; amended as part of October 2021 update)
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(a) 
“Lodging establishment license” means either an innholder license or a lodging house license.
(C0344-18; amended as part of October 2021 update)
(a) 
Every party intending to engage in the business of a lodging establishment, in whole or in part within the limits of the city, shall first obtain the appropriate lodging establishment license from the city council.
(b) 
The following types of lodging establishments shall require a license to operate, in whole or in part, within the limits of the city:
(1) 
Bed and Breakfast (B&B).
An intimate, independently run lodging establishment, mostly frequented by travelers and tourists, where breakfast is included in the room rate.
(2) 
Hotel.
A lodging establishment, mostly frequented by travelers and tourists, that provides accommodations and various guest services, facilities and other amenities.
(3) 
Hostel.
An inexpensive type of lodging establishment, usually with shared bedrooms and communal facilities, ideal for budget travelers and backpackers.
(4) 
Inn.
A small lodging establishment, mostly frequented by travelers and tourists, offering accommodations, food and beverage.
(5) 
Lodging House.
A residence where temporary or permanent accommodations, with minimal amenities, are provided for four (4) or more persons not within second degree of kindred to the person conducting it.
a. 
Lodging houses shall include fraternity houses and dormitories of educational institutions.
b. 
Lodging houses shall not include dormitories of charitable or philanthropic institutions, licensed convalescent, nursing or rest homes or group residences licensed or regulated by agencies of the Commonwealth.
(6) 
Motel.
A roadside lodging establishment that provides accommodations with various amenities, designed primarily for motorists and typically having the rooms arranged in a low building with parking directly outside.
(7) 
Resort.
A self-contained, full-service lodging establishment, mostly frequented by travelers and tourists, that offers accommodations, extensive guest services, facilities and other amenities.
(c) 
A party desiring to engage in the business of operating a hostel or a lodging house, in whole or in part within the limits of the city, shall be required to obtain and maintain a lodging house license; a party desiring to engage in the business of operating any other type of lodging establishment, in whole or in part within the limits of the city, shall be required to obtain and maintain an innholder’s license.
(d) 
No party shall operate a building located in whole or in part within the limits of the city as a lodging establishment unless such party has first obtained the appropriate required license for said purpose from the city council.
(e) 
No owner of any property located in whole or in part within the limits of the city shall allow any party to operate a building located on said property as a lodging establishment unless such party has first obtained the required appropriate license for said purpose from the city council.
(f) 
Any violations of this section shall be reported to the city clerk. After conferring with the city solicitor and/or the president of the city council, if necessary, the city clerk may:
(1) 
Issue fines in accordance with Section 1-8 to the operator of such unlicensed lodging establishment; and/or
(2) 
Issue fines in accordance with Section 1-8 to the owner of the property on which such unlicensed lodging establishment is located; and/or
(3) 
Issue a cease and desist order to the operator of such unlicensed lodging establishment.
(C0344-18; C0102-19; C0035-20; amended as part of October 2021 update)
(a) 
All applications for lodging establishment licenses pursuant to this division shall be completed, reviewed and processed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-303 of this Chapter with the following additions:
(1) 
For each petition for the renewal of a lodging house license, the city clerk shall:
a. 
Request an incident report covering the last twelve (12) months from the police department for the business address listed on the lodging house renewal application; and
b. 
Submit a copy of such incident report to the city council with the petition for the renewal of said license.
(b) 
License Conditions and Restrictions.
(1) 
Lodging establishment licenses shall only allow the license holder to operate on the property address for which the license was granted.
(2) 
All lodging establishment licenses shall be subject to the standard license and permit conditions and restrictions for licenses and permits issued under the authority of the city council as specified in Section 12-308(a) of this Chapter.
(3) 
All lodging establishment licenses shall also be subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
a. 
The holder of a lodging establishment license shall provide the City’s election commission with the census data required under MGL c.51, §10A, no later than January 31st of every year.
(4) 
The city council may impose other reasonable restrictions and conditions on individual lodging establishment licenses they determine to be necessary to protect the public safety and welfare.
(c) 
Petitions for lodging establishment licenses shall be considered by the city council in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-309 of this Chapter.
(d) 
Petitions for approved lodging establishment licenses shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-310 of this Chapter.
(e) 
Petitions for denied lodging establishment licenses shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-311 of this Chapter.
(f) 
Renewals of existing lodging establishment licenses shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-312 of this Chapter.
(g) 
The process used to monitor and ensure compliance with the conditions and restrictions placed on lodging establishment licenses, as well as the possible penalties for such noncompliance, is prescribed in Section 12-313 of this Chapter.
(h) 
Reviews of existing lodging establishment licenses shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-314 of this Chapter.
(i) 
The method used to file and process complaints regarding a lodging establishment license is prescribed in Section 12-318.
(j) 
Suspensions of existing lodging establishment licenses shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-315 of this Chapter.
(k) 
Revocations of existing lodging establishment licenses shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-316 of this Chapter.