Rent control rules in Lowell, MA — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Rent control is prohibited statewide in Massachusetts under MGL c.40P (1994 ballot law), so Lowell cannot cap rent, but landlord-tenant rights are governed by MGL c.186 and c.239.
Massachusetts voters banned rent control statewide in 1994 through Chapter 40P of the General Laws, which preempts any city or town from imposing rent control, rent stabilization, or vacancy controls on private housing. Lowell therefore has no rent cap, and landlords can raise rent to any amount at the end of a lease with proper notice. Tenants are still protected by MGL c.186 which governs security deposits (capped at one month plus last month plus a lockable-key fee), by MGL c.239 which sets the summary process for evictions, and by 940 CMR 3.17 consumer protection rules. Notice to quit for tenants at will is generally 30 days or one full rental period, whichever is longer. Lowell Health Department handles sanitary code complaints.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(1)-(4) declares unlawful any unnecessary motor noise (backfiring, racing, tire-screeching), improper horn/signaling-device use, di...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-3 sets a full district-by-time dBA table (residential 40-50 dB(A), industrial up to 70 dB(A) daytime), measured at the property bound...
Lowell, MA
Lowell restricts gas-powered leaf blower use to daytime hours; no outright ban exists, but decibel and hour limits apply under the general noise ordinance.
Lowell, MA
Outdoor music at restaurants, breweries, and event venues in Lowell requires an entertainment license and must end by 10 p.m. in residential zones.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Chapter 204, Section 204-3 sets district-based dBA limits keyed to time of day. In single- and two-family residential districts the limit drops t...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(12) makes it unlawful to operate any radio, stereo, loudspeaker, instrument or other sound-reproducing device so as to disturb a r...
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