Lawrence, MA Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)
Key Facts
- Who receives complaints
- Chief of police, per Section 2.32.020(C)
- Enforcing officers
- Inspectional services, fire chief, board of health, code prosecutor
- General penalty
- Up to $300.00 per offense (Section 1.16.010)
- Snow/ice violation cap
- $200.00 maximum penalty
- Response window
- 21 days to pay or request a hearing
- Fine payment location
- Office of Inspectional Services, business hours
- Late fee
- $50.00 after 21 days unpaid (Section 1.16.160)
Summary
Complaints about ordinance violations in Lawrence go to the chief of police under Municipal Code Section 2.32.020(C), who must receive them and initiate prosecution. Any enforcing officer, including the inspectional services commissioner, fire chief, board of health, or code enforcement prosecutor, can also act on a complaint by issuing a citation under Chapter 1.16's noncriminal disposition process.
The chief of police shall be the chief law enforcement officer of the city. The chief of police shall take proper measures to enforce all laws and to suppress and prevent all disturbances and disorder within the city and to prevent the commission of crime. The chief of police shall direct the activities of the police department in the laws of the commonwealth and of the ordinances of crime and violations of law. The chief of police shall receive complaints relating to violations of the provisions of this Code, the laws of the commonwealth and of all the ordinances of the city. The chief of police shall enforce all laws and ordinances and shall initiate prosecution of all offenders against such laws and ordinances.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 8).
Full Breakdown
090: the commissioner of inspectional services or a duly authorized code enforcement official, the chief building official, the fire chief, the code enforcement prosecutor, the director of public works, the water and sewer commissioner, the board of health, the tobacco control director, and the chairperson of the licensing board. 120 requires a pre-numbered, triplicate citation stating the date, time and place of the violation, the specific charge, the offender's name and address, the required appearance time, the fine amount, and the issuing officer's name and badge number.
Continuing conditions must be corrected within 24 hours of notice. 130, the person cited has 21 days to pay the scheduled fine, request an in-person hearing before the municipal hearing officer, or submit a written objection by mail. 050. 00 for snow-and-ice violations, with each continuing day a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a citation carries escalating costs. Section 1.16.160 adds a $50.00 late fee if a fine sits unpaid 21 days after issuance with no hearing requested, followed by a demand letter (with up to a $10.00 processing fee) giving 30 more days to pay. A fine still unpaid becomes a lien on the property, plus a $190.00 fee to file and release it, with interest accruing under General Laws Chapter 59, Sections 57 and 57C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call to report a code violation in Lawrence?
What happens after an enforcing officer notices a violation?
How much can the city fine me for an ordinance violation?
Can I contest a citation instead of paying it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lawrence
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