Belchertown, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 78 § 78-2
Definitions and word usage (Belchertown Mobile Home Parks)
Operative Text
A. For the purposes of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein, unless the context in which they are used clearly requires a different meaning: MOBILE HOME A dwelling unit built on a chassis and containing complete electrical, plumbing and sanitary facilities and designed to be installed on a temporary or permanent foundation for permanent living quarters. MOBILE HOME PARK A park licensed by the Board of Health pursuant to MGL c. 140, § 32B . RENT BOARD and BOARD The Mobile Home Park Rent Control Board as established herein. RULES AND REGULATIONS Rules and regulations as promulgated by the Board. [1] [1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 235 , Mobile Home Park Rents and Evictions. B. "Shall" is mandatory; "may" is permissive.
Section 78-2 of Belchertown's Code of Bylaws establishes the foundational definitions that govern the town's mobile home park rent control framework. Key terms defined include 'Mobile Home' (a chassis-built dwelling with full utilities designed for permanent living), 'Mobile Home Park' (a Board of Health–licensed park under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140, Section 32B), and 'Rent Board' (the Mobile Home Park Rent Control Board created under this article). The section also clarifies that 'shall' carries mandatory force while 'may' is permissive, a distinction that shapes how all other provisions in the article are interpreted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of mobile home parks in Belchertown should be familiar with the definitions set out in CH. 78 § 78-2, as these terms frame the scope of the town's rent control rules. A park must be licensed by the Board of Health under MGL c. 140, § 32B to qualify as a 'Mobile Home Park' subject to this article, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Rent Board carry binding authority wherever the word 'shall' appears. Staying current with any rules and regulations issued by the Mobile Home Park Rent Control Board—referenced in § 78-2 and further addressed in Ch. 235—is a standard part of compliant park management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents living in Belchertown mobile home parks benefit from knowing the defined terms in CH. 78 § 78-2, because those definitions determine whether a park and dwelling fall within the town's rent control protections. If a park is licensed under MGL c. 140, § 32B, it qualifies as a 'Mobile Home Park' under this article, and the Mobile Home Park Rent Control Board has authority to issue binding rules and regulations affecting tenants there. Tenants who believe their park or landlord is not complying with the Board's mandatory ('shall') requirements may consider contacting the Rent Board directly or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance; additional protections are also addressed in Ch. 235.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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