Everett, MA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

The Everett City Council adopted the rodent control rules as Section 10-35 of the Revised Ordinances of the City of Everett, Massachusetts (history note C0368-16), and the Health Director, or an authorized representative, enforces them in this Middlesex County city. The stated purpose is to reduce the rat population by changing the environment so rats cannot reproduce or colonize.

Subsection (c) sets the baseline: every premises in the City of Everett must be free of rats, harborages must be eliminated, buildings must be rat-proof, and food must be stored out of reach. Where infestation is evident, the occupant must start eradication, and if no one occupies the premises the owner must. Evidence is defined broadly: runs, burrows, droppings, rubmarks, gnaw marks, tail drag marks, tracks, or simply seeing, hearing or smelling rats.

Food and garbage rules are specific. Animal and fowl feed cannot sit on the ground, the floor or in feed pans longer than needed to feed the animals unless the equipment is inaccessible to rats. Bird feed should be kept at all times on raised platforms, and cannot go on the ground when rats are evident on the premises or nearby premises. All garbage goes in rat-proof containers until collected.

Responsibility follows control. Each occupant keeps the portion of a building he or she occupies or controls rat-free, while the owner keeps the unoccupied parts and any areas the non-owner occupant does not control. Once the Director cites evidence of rats to the owner or the owner's rental agent and requests it, the owner must rat-proof the building, and the lease cannot be pleaded as a defense. When the Director requests, firewood, lumber and building material showing rat harborage must be stored at least 15 inches above ground.

Construction is covered too. No street opening permit issues, and no building permit issues for new construction, demolition, moving a structure, earth-displacing work or renovation of a building vacant for three or more months, until the applicant shows treatment for insects and rodents under 105 CMR 410.550, unless the Health Agent decides otherwise. Public Works enforces baiting on street opening permits. The Director has a right of entry, with an administrative search and inspection warrant when consent is refused and no warrant when an imminent hazard exists.