Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws art v rodents § 34-286
Correction of infestation condition (Fall River Art. V Control of Rodents and Other Vermin)
Operative Text
[Amended 7-15-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-40 ] After the owner or occupant of any premises coming under the provisions of this article has been notified as provided in § 34-285 by the Board of Health or the Health and Human Services Division that such premises are vermin-infested or rat-infested, it shall be the duty of such owner or occupant to take immediate measures to remedy the condition.
Under Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws Art. V § 34-286, once the Board of Health or the Health and Human Services Division formally notifies a property owner or occupant that their premises are vermin- or rat-infested, that party is required to take immediate steps to address and remedy the infestation. The rule applies to any premises covered by Article V of the rodent-control ordinance. The obligation to act is triggered by the official notification described in § 34-285, not merely by awareness of the problem.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws Art. V § 34-286 generally maintain documentation of any correspondence from the Board of Health or the Health and Human Services Division and respond promptly upon receiving a notice of vermin or rat infestation under § 34-285. Compliant operators typically engage licensed pest-control professionals without delay and keep records of remediation efforts, including dates of treatment and follow-up inspections. Maintaining proactive pest-prevention practices at covered premises can help reduce the likelihood of receiving such a notice in the first place.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws Art. V § 34-286, tenants living in vermin- or rat-infested premises have an interest in knowing that both owners and occupants can bear responsibility for remediation once official notice is issued under § 34-285. If a landlord fails to act after receiving such notice, tenants may consider contacting the Fall River Board of Health or the Health and Human Services Division to report the ongoing condition or to inquire about the status of enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations in Massachusetts can provide general information about additional remedies that may be available, such as rent withholding or repair-and-deduct options under state law.
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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