Lawrence, MA Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)

Chapter 15.14, Rental Unit Inspection, adopted by Doc. 213/2016 effective 4-5-19, requires every owner of private residential rental housing, including condominiums, to register each unit annually by March 31 with the inspectional services department, identifying the street address and unit count, and to attest they will comply with the state sanitary code (105 CMR 410), the state building code (780 CMR), and city zoning ordinances (15.14.030). Registration costs $25.00 initially and $15.00 per unit annually, capped at $1,500.00 per building per year. Units in buildings with three or fewer rental units where the owner occupies one are exempt from inspection (15.14.040).

Every other rental unit must be inspected at least once every three years, with the department building its inspection schedule from complaint records, court records and prior inspection history; once notified, the owner has 30 days to schedule the appointment (15.14.050). Inspection fees run $100.00 for buildings with up to three rental units, $200.00 for four to six units, and $400.00 for seven or more, plus a $50.00 charge for a missed appointment (15.14.070). Units that fail inspection must submit an acceptable compliance plan to bring the unit up to the state sanitary code's minimum habitability standards (15.14.060).

New owners must report a transfer of ownership within 30 days of closing and, if an inspection was due but did not occur before the sale, complete it within 90 days (15.14.120).