Newton requires rental housing to comply with the State Sanitary Code. There is no citywide mandatory rental registration program, but inspections occur on complaint and at change of occupancy for some units.
Newton does not operate a mandatory rental registration program like Boston or Cambridge. However, all rental units in Newton must comply with 105 CMR 410 (Massachusetts State Sanitary Code) and are subject to inspection by the Newton Health and Human Services Department upon tenant complaint. Lead paint compliance is required for rentals occupied by children under 6 under MGL c.111 s.197. Landlords must provide a certificate of occupancy for new or substantially renovated units and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors meeting state fire code. Short-term rentals are subject to separate state registration with the Department of Revenue under the 2018 short-term rental law. Multi-family buildings with three or more units face additional fire safety inspection requirements. Violations of the sanitary code can result in orders to correct, fines, and in severe cases, condemnation.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Newton, MA
Industrial and commercial noise in Newton must meet property-line decibel limits by zoning district, with mechanical equipment, HVAC, and loading docks close...
Newton, MA
Newton follows the state stretch energy code requiring EV-ready wiring in new construction. Residential Level 2 chargers need electrical permits; commercial ...
Newton, MA
Under MGL c.90 s.22D, Newton can tow vehicles left on public ways for more than 72 hours. Unregistered or inoperable vehicles on private property must be sto...
Newton, MA
Newton requires curb cut permits from DPW for new driveways, with maximum widths of 20 feet for single-family homes. Impervious surface coverage is limited b...
Newton, MA
Massachusetts MGL Chapter 49 governs boundary fences between neighbors, establishing shared maintenance where fences are mutual and providing fence viewer pr...
Newton, MA
Retaining walls in Newton over 4 feet in height measured from footing to top require a building permit and engineered design per 780 CMR.
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