Dennis, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 242 § 242-5
Removal of posting; failure to comply (Dennis Housing)
Operative Text
A. No dwelling or a portion thereof which has been condemned and posted as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from and such posting is removed by the Board of Health. No person shall deface or remove the posting except that the Board of Health shall remove it whenever the defect or violations on which the condemnation and posting action was based have been eliminated. Removal or possession of the posting by anyone other than the agent or representative of the Board of Health shall be subject to a fine of not less than twenty dollars ($20.). B. Any person or persons who continue to inhabit a dwelling which has been condemned under provisions of these regulations shall be fined not less than twenty dollars ($20.).
Dennis, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 242 § 242-5 establishes two related prohibitions concerning condemned dwellings. First, a dwelling that has been officially condemned and posted as unfit for human habitation cannot be reoccupied until the Board of Health has reviewed the corrections and formally removed the posting; tampering with or removing that posting without Board of Health authorization carries a minimum fine of $20. Second, any person who continues to live in a condemned dwelling is also subject to a fine of at least $20. The provision makes clear that only the Board of Health—or its authorized agents—has the authority to remove a condemnation posting, and only after the underlying violations have been resolved.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Dennis, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 242 § 242-5, compliant property owners and managers treat a Board of Health condemnation posting as a legal barrier to occupancy until the Board formally lifts it. Operators generally address all cited defects or violations, then seek written approval from the Board of Health before allowing any tenant to return to or occupy the affected unit. Removing or allowing removal of the posted notice before receiving that written clearance exposes the responsible party to a fine of not less than $20, and permitting continued habitation of a condemned unit creates additional liability under the same section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Dennis, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 242 § 242-5 means that if a dwelling has been condemned and posted by the Board of Health, residents are not legally permitted to remain there, and doing so can result in a fine of at least $20. Tenants who are displaced by a condemnation may wish to contact the Dennis Board of Health directly to understand the status of the violations and what steps are required before the unit can be reoccupied. Tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help individuals understand their options regarding relocation assistance, lease obligations, and the process for monitoring when a condemned property is cleared for habitation under this provision.
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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