Somerville, MA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration deadline
- Within 90 days of vacancy
- Annual fee billed
- Oct 15, due Nov 15
- Trash/graffiti removal
- 7 days after notice
- Rodent inspection updates
- Every 6 months while vacant
- Unpaid fees become
- Municipal charges lien
Summary
Owners of vacant buildings or ground-floor commercial space in Somerville must register the vacancy with inspectional services within 90 days and pay an annual fee, per Code of Ordinances § 11-111. The ordinance requires boarded windows to be temporary, prompt repair of broken openings, and rodent-free conditions, backed by fines and liens.
(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to protect the welfare and economic vitality of the residents of the City of Somerville by protecting property values, maintaining neighborhood integrity and accessibility, safeguarding against economic property blight, protecting city resources, and ensuring the safe and sanitary maintenance of vacant properties. (b) Registration. (1) In the absence of extenuating circumstances, every owner of a vacant property shall register the vacancy with the superintendent of inspectional services in writing, within 90 days of that property's becoming vacant. If the property has vacant ground floor commercial or industrial space, the vacancy shall also be registered with the director of planning.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Zoning Ordinances: Revision - CodeBank PDF Post).
Full Breakdown
box doesn't satisfy the address requirement. c. 40, § 58. Once registered, the owner must maintain the building under applicable sanitary, building and fire codes, promptly repair broken windows and doors, and can only board up openings as a temporary measure unless the building inspector approves boarding for security reasons, in which case boards must be fitted and colored to blend with the building. Accumulated trash or graffiti must come off the property within seven days of a building inspector's notice, and shut-off utilities must be capped to prevent accidents.
The owner must also keep the property free of rats and mice, providing a licensed exterminator's certification at registration and follow-up documentation every six months the property stays vacant. The building inspector, police chief, fire chief and health director can periodically inspect registered properties, and the inspector can disconnect utilities immediately if there's an imminent hazard.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 11-111 carries a penalty under § 1-11, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. Unpaid registration fees and any fines become a municipal charges lien on the property collectible under G.L. c. 40, § 58. If an owner won't comply after notice, the city can do the required work itself and bill the owner, adding that cost to the lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon do I have to register a vacant building in Somerville?
Can I board up windows on a vacant Somerville property long-term?
What happens if I don't pay the Somerville vacant property registration fee?
Does Somerville require pest control on vacant buildings?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Somerville
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