Boston, Mass., Mun. Code § 16-52 (2026) § 16-52.9
Regulatory Authority
Operative Text
The Commissioner of the Inspectional Services Department has the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement and enforce this Section. These rules may allow for additional materials which may be used to secure a building, pursuant to the requirements set forth in Subsection 16-52.4, if proof is provided, satisfactory to the Commissioner, that such materials will perform in a manner equivalent to, or better than, the materials specified herein.
Boston Municipal Code § 16-52.9 establishes that the Commissioner of the Inspectional Services Department holds the authority to create and enforce rules needed to carry out § 16-52. Under this provision, those rules may also permit the use of alternative building-securing materials beyond those explicitly listed in § 16-52.4, provided the Commissioner is satisfied that the alternative materials perform at least as well as the specified ones.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 16-52.9, the Inspectional Services Department Commissioner can approve alternative securing materials beyond those listed in § 16-52.4, but only when satisfactory proof of equivalent or superior performance is submitted. Compliant operators generally document the performance characteristics of any alternative materials they wish to use and present that evidence to the Commissioner before relying on those materials. Staying current with any rules or regulations the Commissioner has promulgated under § 16-52.9 is a standard part of maintaining compliance with Boston's building-securing requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Boston Municipal Code § 16-52.9 grants the Inspectional Services Department Commissioner rule-making power over how buildings are secured under § 16-52, which can affect the standards applied to a tenant's building. Tenants who believe a building is not properly secured in accordance with § 16-52 and its implementing regulations may consider contacting the Boston Inspectional Services Department to inquire about applicable standards or file a complaint. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Boston housing code can help explain how the Commissioner's rules under § 16-52.9 may apply to a particular building's condition.
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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