Dennis, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 242 § 242-6
Forcible removal of occupants (Dennis Housing)
Operative Text
If any person refuses to leave a dwelling or portion thereof which has been ordered condemned and posted in accordance with these regulations and/or regulations of the State Sanitary Code, he may be forcibly moved by the Board of Health or local police authorities on request of the Board of Health.
Under Dennis, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 242 § 242-6, when a dwelling or part of a dwelling has been officially condemned and posted as such under local or state sanitary regulations, any occupant who refuses to vacate may be physically removed by the Board of Health or local police acting at the Board of Health's request. The provision establishes a legal mechanism for enforcing condemnation orders when voluntary compliance does not occur. It applies to any person remaining in a condemned space, regardless of their tenancy status.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 242 § 242-6, once a property has been condemned and posted in accordance with Dennis bylaws or the State Sanitary Code, the legal authority to remove non-compliant occupants rests with the Board of Health and local police — not with the property owner. Compliant operators generally cooperate with Board of Health directives and avoid taking independent action to remove occupants from condemned spaces. Familiarity with the condemnation and posting process outlined in CH. 242 helps operators understand the sequence of official steps that precede any forced removal.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 242 § 242-6 establishes that only the Board of Health or police acting on the Board of Health's request have the authority to forcibly remove occupants from a condemned and posted dwelling — a landlord does not have this power unilaterally. If you believe a condemnation order has been issued improperly or without proper notice, tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help you understand what procedural protections may apply. Consulting with a local housing attorney or tenant advocacy group is one path for learning about any rights to contest or respond to a condemnation determination 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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