Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws art v rodents § 34-288
Deposit of unsanitary waste, refuse or other rat harborage (Fall River Art. V Control of Rodents and Other Vermin)
Operative Text
No person shall throw, place or deposit or permit any person under his control or employment to throw, place or deposit any putrid substance, night soil, filth of any kind, garbage, rubbish, refuse piles, old lumber or other rat harborage or any unwholesome material in or upon any private lot or public ground within the City without the consent of the Board of Health.
Fall River Code of Bylaws Art. V § 34-288 prohibits anyone from placing or allowing others under their control to place putrid substances, garbage, rubbish, old lumber, or other materials that could harbor rats on private lots or public grounds within the city, unless the Board of Health has given its consent. The rule is aimed at preventing conditions that attract or shelter rodents. Both the act of depositing such materials and the act of permitting someone else to do so are covered by the prohibition.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Fall River Code of Bylaws Art. V § 34-288, property owners and managers are generally expected to ensure that their lots and any areas under their control remain free of garbage, refuse piles, old lumber, and similar materials that could serve as rat harborage. Compliant operators typically maintain regular waste removal schedules and supervise employees or contractors to prevent improper disposal of unsanitary materials on or near their properties. Because the provision extends liability to those who permit others under their employment or control to deposit such materials, oversight of maintenance staff and contractors is a relevant operational consideration.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Fall River Code of Bylaws Art. V § 34-288 establishes that no person—including a landlord or property manager—may allow rat harborage materials such as garbage, rubbish, or old lumber to accumulate on private lots without Board of Health consent. Tenants who observe conditions on their property that may violate this provision can report concerns directly to the Fall River Board of Health, which has authority over this rule. Tenant-rights organizations in Massachusetts can also provide general information about how sanitary code complaints are typically handled 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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