Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws art iii d2 § 42-82
Director of Division of Minimum Housing Standards (Fall River Art. III Div. 2: Administration)
Operative Text
[Amended 6-18-1996 by Ord. No. 1996-19 ] A. The Division of Minimum Housing Standards shall be operated under the immediate direction, supervision and control of a director appointed by the Mayor. The Director may delegate any of his powers or duties under the provisions of this article to any properly qualified employee of the Inspectional Services Division of the Department of Community Services. B. The Director of the Division of Minimum Housing Standards shall implement the statement of policy set forth in this article. He shall enforce this article, and he shall provide for the establishment and preservation of sound and stable residential neighborhoods of decent, safe and sanitary homes and suitable living environment for adequate family life by encouraging the rehabilitation of substandard houses and the redevelopment of blighted and substandard areas. All personnel of the division shall exercise such authority as shall be delegated to them by the Director.
Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws ART. III D2 § 42-82 establishes the administrative structure of the Division of Minimum Housing Standards. Under this provision, the division is led by a director appointed by the Mayor, who holds authority to enforce minimum housing standards and may delegate enforcement powers to qualified staff within the Inspectional Services Division. The rule's stated purpose is to promote safe, sanitary, and stable residential neighborhoods by encouraging rehabilitation of substandard housing and redevelopment of blighted areas.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws ART. III D2 § 42-82, the Division of Minimum Housing Standards—headed by a mayoral appointee—is the body responsible for enforcing local minimum housing requirements. Compliant property operators generally maintain their properties in accordance with the standards this division oversees, respond to inspections or notices issued by the Director or delegated inspectional staff, and address any identified deficiencies in a timely manner. Understanding that enforcement authority can be exercised by any properly delegated employee of the Inspectional Services Division helps operators know who may conduct official inspections or issue directives.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws ART. III D2 § 42-82 establishes that tenants living in substandard or unsafe conditions have a designated agency—the Division of Minimum Housing Standards—to turn to, as the Director is charged with enforcing minimum housing requirements citywide. Tenants who believe their home does not meet safe and sanitary standards may consider contacting the Division or the Inspectional Services Division, whose staff are authorized to act on the Director's behalf. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Fall River's housing code can help residents understand what options may be available when conditions fall short of the standards this provision is designed to uphold.
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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