Fall River, MA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Time to correct violation
- 30 days from notice
- Time to comply with demolition order
- 60 days
- Enforcing agencies
- Inspectional Services, Fire, Health Dept.
- Unpaid abatement costs
- Become a lien on property
Summary
Fall River makes it a violation to own, maintain, or create a blighted property, dilapidated, fire-hazardous, or a threat to public health, and lets Inspectional Services, Fire, or Health officials order repairs within 30 days or demolition within 60.
BLIGHTED PROPERTY: Any building, structure, or parcel of land with any the following conditions: ...Has become dilapidated as documented by Inspectional Services; ...Has become a fire hazard as determined by the Fire Department; or ...Poses a serious threat to the safety, health, or general welfare of the public... § 10-321. It shall be a violation of this division to own, maintain, or create a blighted property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4739915; v14 updated 2025-12-23; through 12-23-2025).
Full Breakdown
Investigators from Inspectional Services, the Fire Department, or Health and Human Services can cite a property as blighted for dilapidation, fire hazard, or a threat to public safety. The owner gets a written violation notice and 30 days to complete corrective action, extendable only in writing. If the owner ignores the order and the condition endangers the public, the City can perform the corrective work itself and bill the owner, recording unpaid costs as a debt that can be secured by a lien. Properties judged beyond repair can be ordered demolished within 60 days; if the owner still refuses, the City may demolish the structure and recover its costs, including attorney's fees, from the owner.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance draws the general penalty under §1-15 or noncriminal disposition under §§2-1021–2-1025; unpaid abatement or demolition costs become a debt and can be secured by a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Fall River property 'blighted'?
Can the City demolish my building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fall River
Compare Fall River to another location·View the Massachusetts property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Property Blight in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle property blight.