Told by MA town hall Airbnb NOT allowed? What can I do?

[Jiachen3]

I recently bought an SFH in a suburban town in MA and use it here as my main residence. I plan to host on Airbnb in one of my bedrooms. Founding nothing related on the website, I went to the town hall and asked if I need a license for STR.

Then I was told it is NOT ALLOWED to host Airbnb in any SFH in this town, because "a while ago some people voted against it" and if they found out they would bring it to court. He said according to zoning rules such SFHs cannot do businesses including STR (even tho my neighbor runs a hair salon in her home with a big sign outside in the street). Basically, I noticed what he said was "NOT ALLOWED" instead of ILLEGAL. 

Then I asked him for a copy of this regulation since I could not find it online, but surprisingly I was told there is NO formal law or regulation that he could give to me. Before I took off, the lady who looked like the secretory blinked at me whispering "you may want to keep it low". 

I am quite conflicted at this time. I do not understand what this means. NO formal regulation but NOT ALLOWED? Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? 

[Sudsrung0]

Maybe it means it's "Tolerated" 

[David8879]

Town has to have resolution on file. If town clerk can't provide it - they are obligated to state that STR are NOT regulated differently from Country and State laws. If they have resolution of file prohibiting STR - doing STR would be illegal and you may be fined and more.

Moreover - since you ALREADY asked in Town Hall and were given "NO" as an answer - even without documented proof - there no longer plausible deniability and violating this verbal statement without confirmation of legality is not advisable and your willful violation might be proven in the court of law and stipulate legal consequences in multiple ways.

Contract legal professional to conduct research on your behalf (AirBNB might not be aware of all the rules of all the no name places on Earth - it is your responsibility to respect the rule of law)

[Fred13]

Oftentimes, it is better to ask for forgiveness (if it is even becomes necessary) than to ask for permission.

(If it is not even a written law, then there is no defined $ fine number.)

[James926]

ask for forgiveness??? There have no such thing, the only thing they want is you stop to do Airbnb.  That is not right.  where is the Democracy of this country? where is the freedom? where is the American dream? They are liar...We using our own property to make some money for our difficult living. We have paid our income tax for it. How can they stop us without law?

[James926]

Yes, I hosted my property in Lowell.  I have Mass Tax Connect give me the permit, City of Lowell issues me the rental permit, and I only doing long-term rental through Airbnb, now they give me a fine for $300.00 if I am not terminate my account on Airbnb, they will give me a fine for $300.00 per day.  I appeal the fine right now.  It is very ridiculous.  I cannot found any ordinance on City of Lowell website, how can they printed out something from Airbnb website and give me a fine???  I fight for that.  In Lowell, I found so many people doing Airbnb have no problem, why only me get fine???  I want gether all the hosts in my area and all in MA to fight for that.