Everett, MA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

The Everett City Council, in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, defines blighted premises in Section 13A-62(d) as any structure, building, improvement or premises that is a menace to public health, safety, moral or welfare, or that endangers life or property by threat of fire or other hazard, because of faulty design or construction, failure to maintain the premises, or an accumulation of junk, garbage or rubbish. Section 13A-62(i)(4) separately names dilapidated structures, meaning buildings so old, dilapidated, abandoned or out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary or unfit for human use or occupancy. Related nuisances in the same section include vacant buildings with unsecured doors or windows (subsection (e)), unoccupied buildings that lack the automatic fire or smoke detection required by Section 8-2, openings that let in rats or mice, and fences left in a dangerous state of repair.

A director can order abatement through a notice and order to correct (Section 13A-39), and if the work is not done the City can do it and recover the cost, including hauling, storage and disposal, personnel costs and interest (Section 13A-36). The notice is recorded with the City Clerk (Section 13A-31), and the City can record a lien with the Registry of Deeds within ninety days after an amount is due (Section 13A-53). Section 13A-38 allows denial of permits for a property that stays in violation.

Chapter 13B adds a registration scheme for vacant and foreclosing residential property. Owners register with the Code Enforcement Task Force on or before November 15th each calendar year, naming a local individual or property management company, meaning one within twenty (20) driving miles. The owner must inspect monthly and post a sign with a 24-hour contact phone number visible from the street. The annual fee is $500.00 for under one year of vacancy, $1,000.00 for one year or more but less than two, $2,000.00 for two years or more but less than three, and $3,000.00 for three years or more. Property owned by the City or the Everett Housing Authority is excluded.