Massachusetts: Can car dealerships open on Sundays?
Massachusetts lets stores and shops open and sell at retail on Sunday, and has no Sunday rule aimed at car dealers.
Massachusetts still has a general Sunday closing law, but it exempts keeping a store or shop open and selling goods at retail on Sunday. No Sunday rule specific to car dealers was found in the Sunday law or in the dealer licensing section. The answer rests on the inference that a car dealership counts as a 'store or shop' under the retail exemption. The exemption does not apply on certain legal holidays, and dealer licenses are issued by cities and towns.
What the law says
The keeping open of a store or shop and the sale at retail of goods therein, but not including the retail sale of goods subject to chapter 138, and the performance of labor, business, and work directly connected therewith on Sunday.
Sources
- M.G.L. c. 136, § 6(50) Official · malegislature.gov
- M.G.L. c. 136, § 5 Official · malegislature.gov
- M.G.L. c. 140, § 59 Official · malegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
- Website
- mass.gov
How bordering states compare
- Connecticut Sunday sales allowedConnecticut allows Sunday car sales; its old Sunday business ban is still printed but was held unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court.
- New Hampshire Sunday sales allowedNew Hampshire repealed its Sunday business law in 2016 and has no rule against Sunday car sales.
- New York Sunday sales allowedNew York allows Sunday car sales; its old Sunday selling ban was struck down by the state's top court in 1976.
- Rhode Island Limited by place or dayRhode Island allows car dealers to open for sales on Sunday only between noon and 6 p.m.
- Vermont Sunday sales allowedVermont has no state law that stops car dealers from selling on Sunday.
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