Chicopee, MA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- First-day fine
- $75 after written notice from the Health Department
- Each consecutive day
- $100
- Enforcing agency
- Chicopee Health Department, against the legal owner
- Conditions covered
- Overgrowth, snow blocking passage, rubbish, trash, noxious materials
- City cleanup bill (§ 169-36)
- Due within 30 days, then charged to the tax bill
- Graffiti removal (§ 238-3)
- Within 14 days after service of notice
Summary
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, an owner cannot let land grow over with underbrush, let snow block safe passage, or let rubbish and trash pile up. Chicopee Code § 275-29 gives enforcement to the Health Department, which fines the legal owner $75 for the first day and $100 for each consecutive day after written notice.
No owner of land shall permit his property to become overgrown with underbrush or vegetation or blocked by snow where such interferes with safe passage or hinders the visibility of pedestrians or motorists so as to create a traffic hazard thereby, whether such motorists or pedestrians are on public or private property. Said owner shall not permit accumulations of rubbish, trash or other noxious materials unless appropriate licenses or permits required by law are obtained. This section may be enforced by the Health Department against the legal owner of the property. Any person or entity who fails to comply with this section shall be fined $75 for the first day and $100 each consecutive day after receiving written notice by the Health Department.
Full Breakdown
Section 275-29 sits in Chapter 275, the City of Chicopee Zoning Ordinance, and was amended by Ord. No. 10-41 on 9-21-2010 and by Ord. No. 22-25 on 10-18-2022. It reaches two conditions on any parcel in the city. The first is vegetation or snow: an owner cannot let property become overgrown with underbrush or vegetation, or blocked by snow, where that interferes with safe passage or hinders the visibility of pedestrians or motorists so as to create a traffic hazard. The section covers pedestrians and motorists on public or private property alike. The second condition is dumping: the owner cannot permit accumulations of rubbish, trash or other noxious materials unless the appropriate licenses or permits required by law are obtained. Enforcement belongs to the Health Department, and it runs against the legal owner of the property.
Other Chicopee chapters attack the same problem with different tools. Under § 169-35 the owner or person in control of vacant property must at all times keep the premises free from litter, and § 169-34 sets the same duty for occupied private property. Section 169-36 lets the Building Inspector notify the owner by registered or certified mail, or by posting the property for not less than seven days. If the owner fails to dispose of the litter within five days after receiving written notice, the Building Inspector can pay for removal or order the City to remove it. The City then bills the actual cost, payable within 30 days, and an unpaid amount is recorded at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds and charged on the next regular tax bill as a lien.
Graffiti has its own chapter. Section 238-1 states that graffiti contributes to blight and constitutes a public nuisance, and § 238-3 bars an owner from letting graffiti remain for 14 days after service of notice from the Building Commissioner or Health Director. Section 275-24 separately lets an owner strengthen or restore to a safe condition any building wall the Building Commissioner has declared unsafe.
Violations & Fines
Under § 275-29 the fine is $75 for the first day and $100 for each consecutive day after the owner receives written notice from the Health Department. For litter left on vacant or private land, § 169-36 lets the City remove it and bill the owner, and an unpaid bill becomes a lien collected with the tax bill. Graffiti left in place after notice draws a fine of not more than $25, and each day is a separate offense under § 238-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who enforces the overgrown property and rubbish rule in Chicopee?
What conditions does § 275-29 cover?
What happens if a Chicopee owner ignores a litter notice?
Does Chicopee treat graffiti as blight?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicopee
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