Lawrence, MA Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- Registration deadline
- Annually by March 31
- Initial fee
- $25 per rental unit
- Renewal fee
- $15 per rental unit annually
- Fee cap
- $1,500 maximum per building per year
- Registers with
- Inspectional services department
- Exempt owners
- 3 or fewer units, one owner-occupied
Summary
Every owner of rental housing in Lawrence, including condo units, must register each unit annually with the inspectional services department by March 31, paying a $25 initial fee and $15 renewal fee per unit, capped at $1,500 per building.
All owners of private residential rental housing units ("owners"), including condominium units, in the city shall register no later than March 31 of each year with the inspectional services department identifying the property by street address and the number of units of housing at each address... All rental unit registrations shall be recorded in an electronic database of all owners for an initial fee of $25.00, and annual renewal fees of $15.00, for each rental unit; said fees shall be capped at an annual maximum of $1,500.00 per building.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 8).
Full Breakdown
14, adopted by Doc. 030). Owners must register every rental unit annually and must attest that they are familiar with, and intend to comply with, the state sanitary code (105 CMR 410), the state building code (780 CMR), the city's zoning ordinances, and federal, state and local fair housing regulations. An owner who owns multiple units in one building may file a single registration form covering all of them. Registrations are recorded in an electronic database, and the fees are set at $25 for the initial registration and $15 for each annual renewal per rental unit, with a citywide cap of $1,500 per building per year regardless of unit count. 040, though the ordinance still requires the inspectional services department to send exempt owners educational code materials periodically. 120).
Violations & Fines
Any failure to register or comply with Chapter 15.14 is punishable under §15.14.150 by a fine of $100 per month beginning the first month the property is found noncompliant, with each subsequent month treated as a separate violation, enforceable by the city's sanitary code and building inspectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must register rental units in Lawrence?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lawrence
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