Fall River, MA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope
- Any area of the City
- Authority
- Division of Minimum Housing Standards
- Reporting
- Annual, to Mayor & Council
- Purpose
- Track deterioration & overcrowding
Summary
Fall River authorizes its Minimum Housing Standards Director to conduct area-wide housing surveys assessing deterioration, unsafe conditions and overcrowding, with an annual report on enforcement progress sent to the Mayor and City Council.
The Director of the Division of Minimum Housing Standards is authorized to make housing surveys in any area of the City to determine the general conditions of the dwellings in that area, the extent of deterioration, the lack of facilities and maintenance, the unsafe and unsanitary conditions, the overcrowding which may exist and other matters included within the provisions of this article.
B. The Director shall annually submit a written report to the Mayor and to the City Council regarding the activities of the Division of Minimum Housing Standards and the procedures used in the administration and enforcement of this article, which will indicate the progress and problems experienced in improving the sanitation, safety and rehabilitation of existing dwellings and dwelling premises.
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
Section 42-83 gives the Director of the Division of Minimum Housing Standards authority to survey any area of the City, not just units flagged by complaint, to gauge dwelling conditions, deterioration, missing facilities, unsafe or unsanitary conditions and overcrowding. The Director must then report annually to the Mayor and City Council on the division's activities and the progress and problems in improving sanitation, safety and rehabilitation of existing dwellings.
Violations & Fines
Surveys carry no fine on their own; conditions they turn up are pursued through Article III's standard notice, immediate-abatement and court-enforcement process, with the citywide $300-per-offense default penalty under Section 1-15 applying to confirmed violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the city inspect my neighborhood without a complaint?
Where can I see the results?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fall River
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Inspection Programs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle inspection programs.