Massachusetts Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410 and local blight ordinances in Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton target deteriorating properties. Vacant property registration required in all three cities. Liens placed on property for uncorrected violations.
Property maintenance across Bristol County is enforced through 105 CMR 410 (State Sanitary Code — Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation), 780 CMR Chapter 34 (Existing Buildings), and local blight ordinances. Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton have active vacant and foreclosed property registration programs with annual fees commonly $100 to $500 per property and higher for repeat non-registration. Common violations: peeling exterior paint (lead risk under MGL ch. 111 §197), broken windows, accumulated debris and junk, overgrown vegetation, damaged roof, non-functioning vehicles, failure to secure openings. Owners get written notice with a compliance window of 10 to 30 days; failure leads to per-day fines and municipal abatement with costs attached as a lien on the property. Severe cases may be referred to Housing Court receivership under MGL ch. 111 §127I.
Compliance notice: 10 to 30 days. Per-day fines: $100 to $500 until cured. Municipal abatement: costs liened. Receivership: under MGL ch. 111 §127I for chronic cases.
Fall River, MA
Fall River prohibits all noises that menace health or interrupt sleep between 10 PM and 7 AM on weekdays and 10 PM to 8 AM on Sundays. The city's noise regul...
Fall River, MA
Fall River addresses barking and nuisance dogs under MGL Ch. 140 §157. A dog that is a habitual barker or creates a nuisance may result in a citation with a ...
Fall River, MA
Fall River regulates construction noise under its general noise ordinance provisions. Construction activities that create excessive noise are prohibited duri...
Fall River, MA
Fall River's zoning code Ch. 86 §86-441 requires parking areas to be set back at least 10 feet from front lot lines and from abutting residential property li...
Fall River, MA
Fall River regulates the parking of trailers, semitrailers, and large vehicles on city streets under §70-320. Commercial buses designed to carry 7+ persons m...
Fall River, MA
Fall River enforces street parking regulations under Ch. 70 of the Revised Ordinances. A winter parking ban is declared when 3+ inches of snow are predicted,...
See how Fall River's property blight rules stack up against other locations.
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