Is it legal to rent an in law as an apartment in Massachusetts?

[Michael Pursell]

I've been looking to purchase a duplex or triplex in the plymouth county area but not many are available. I've also thought about the idea of buying a single family home with an in law and renting that out. I never considered until now that it might not actually be legal to do. I've tried to find information on this but can't really come up with any concrete yes or no answer. Some say its not legal and some say it is. I'm assuming it varies from county to county.

Anyone know for sure what the status of this is? 

[Charlie MacPherson]

@Michael Pursell That's going to vary by town, not by county.  Our county governments aren't big in regulation.  

They service things like the Registry of Deeds, county jails, transporting prisoners, etc.

If you have a property in mind, call that town's Building Department.