Dennis, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 242 § 242-8
Required floor space (Dennis Housing)
Operative Text
Every dwelling unit shall contain at least one hundred fifty (150) square feet of floor space for the first occupant and at least one hundred (100) square feet of floor space for each additional occupant. The floor space to be calculated on the basis of provisions of the Massachusetts Sanitary Code, Article II, shall also be utilized.
Dennis, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 242 § 242-8 establishes minimum floor space requirements for dwelling units: at least 150 square feet for the first occupant, plus at least 100 square feet for each additional occupant. Floor space calculations must follow the methodology set out in the Massachusetts Sanitary Code, Article II. This rule sets a baseline habitability standard tied directly to the number of people living in a unit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 242 § 242-8, compliant operators ensure that each dwelling unit they rent or lease meets the tiered square footage minimums before occupancy begins—150 square feet for one occupant and an additional 100 square feet for every subsequent occupant. Operators generally document the calculated floor area using the Massachusetts Sanitary Code, Article II methodology to demonstrate compliance. Keeping accurate floor-plan records and tracking the number of authorized occupants helps operators maintain conformance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 242 § 242-8 gives occupants of Dennis rental units a right to a minimum amount of living space based on how many people reside there—150 square feet for the first person and 100 square feet for each additional resident. If a unit appears to fall below these thresholds, tenants may raise the violation as a defense in relevant proceedings or file a complaint with local housing or health authorities who oversee sanitary code enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Massachusetts Sanitary Code, Article II standards can help residents understand how floor space is measured and what options may be available.
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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