Building Safety in Boston, MA (2026)
8 verified building safety rules for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Owners of Boston rental units built before 1978 must comply with the Massachusetts Lead Law (MGL Ch. 111 §§189A-199B) and 105 CMR 460, deleading or interim-controlling units occupied by children under six.
Boston Lead Paint Disclosure and Compliance
Heavy RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 111, Sec. 197A (Notice to Prospective Purchasers of Hazards of Lead in Premises)
All persons selling premises shall, prior to the signing of a purchase and sale agreement, provide a copy of the form and other materials prepared pursuant to subsection (a) to the prospective purchaser... such seller and any real estate agent involved in the sale shall disclose to the prospective purchaser any information known to the seller or real estate agent about the presence of paint, pl...
Elevator Maintenance
Elevators in Boston are inspected and licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety under 524 CMR, with annual certificates required and ISD enforcing posting of the current certificate in every cab.
Boston Elevator Inspection Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsScaffold & Sidewalk Shed
Scaffolding, swing stages, and sidewalk sheds in Boston require ISD construction permits, BTD public-way occupancy permits, and compliance with 454 CMR 25 (Massachusetts Construction Industry Standards) and OSHA 29 CFR 1926.
Boston Scaffold and Sidewalk Shed Permits
Heavy RestrictionsPest Control
Under the Boston Sanitary Code (BPHC Ch. II) and 105 CMR 410, every property owner must keep premises free of rodents, insects, and other pests through extermination, exclusion, and removal of food sources.
Boston Rodent and Pest Management Duties
Heavy RestrictionsFire Sprinkler Requirements
Under the Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR), NFPA 13/13R, and Boston Code Ch. 9, automatic sprinklers are required in most new buildings four or more stories, larger residences, and substantial renovations.
Boston Sprinkler and Fire Suppression Rules
Heavy RestrictionsChildcare Center Rules
Boston childcare centers must satisfy 780 CMR (Educational Group E or Institutional Group I-4) construction standards, BFD life safety review, and EEC Massachusetts childcare licensing under 606 CMR 7.
Boston Childcare Center Building Rules
Heavy RestrictionsDoor Locking Hardware
Door locking hardware in Boston must comply with the Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR) and 527 CMR 1.00, requiring single-motion egress, panic hardware in assembly occupancies, and approved electrified locks.
Boston Egress and Door Hardware Rules
Heavy RestrictionsGreen Building Code
Boston Article 37 of the Zoning Code requires LEED-certifiable design for projects over 50,000 square feet, while BERDO 2.0 (Boston Code Ch. VII) imposes building emissions caps phased to net zero by 2050.
Boston Green Building and BERDO 2.0
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Suffolk County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Boston city rules.
Building Safety in Suffolk County →