Springfield, MA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Penalty range
- $50–$300 per violation per day
- Daily cap
- $300 per day total
- Repair deadline
- 30 days from written order
- Enforcing agency
- Code Enforcement Department
- Governing law
- City Code Ch. 285, Art. I
Summary
Springfield's Anti-Blight Program lets Code Enforcement order repair or demolition of a vacant, dangerous building in Hampden County's largest city, backed by fines up to $300 per day for owners who ignore the order.
When the Code Enforcement Commissioner, or an official vested with the jurisdiction to enforce any health or safety code determines, based upon the condition of the building or structure, that the building or structure is beyond repair, that conditions exist which constitute a violation of this article, and that efforts to secure the building or structure so as abate any condition constituting a violation have failed to abate the violation, such official may issue an order that the building or structure be demolished. The order shall be issued in accordance with the procedure set forth in § 285-4 of this article.
B. Failure to comply with order to demolish. Whenever the property owner fails, neglects or refuses to comply with an order to demolish the property, the City may take any or all of the following actions to enforce the order:
(1) Institute an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for criminal prosecution of the owner for violation of this article and seeking an order from the court for the demolition of the building or structure and/or for payment of fines for violation of the provisions of this article.
(2) Institute a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking an injunction for abatement of the violation and an order from the court for demolition of the building or structure and/or for payment of fines for violation of the provisions of this article.
(3)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4680006; v21 updated 2025-12-15; through 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 285-1 et seq. bars owners from allowing a property to become 'blighted premises': vacant and dilapidated, fire-hazardous, attracting illegal activity, or a threat to safety as documented by Code Enforcement, Police, or Fire. Under § 285-4, Code Enforcement investigates and orders repairs within 30 days; the order is recorded against the land. If a structure is beyond repair and abatement efforts fail, § 285-6 lets the Code Enforcement Commissioner, Fire Marshal, or Chief of Police order demolition, with the City able to do the work itself and recover costs from the owner. Article I was adopted 9-25-1995 and amended 10-18-1995 to add the penalty section.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a repair or demolition order risks $50–$300 per violation per day (capped at $300/day total) under § 285-7, plus City-ordered demolition or repair with the cost billed to the owner and recoverable as a lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Springfield, MA order a dangerous building demolished?
How big can the fine be for a blighted property in Springfield?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Springfield
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