Fitchburg, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 111 § 111-6
Violations and penalties (Fitchburg Health)
Operative Text
[Added 1-19-1988 by Ord. No. 531-87 ] A. Criminal complaint. Whoever violates any provision of the rules and regulations adopted or enforced by the Board of Health of the City of Fitchburg may be penalized by complaint brought in the District Court or Worcester County Housing Court. Except as otherwise provided by law, and as the court may in its discretion impose, the maximum penalty for any such violation of these rules and regulations shall be $500 for each offense. B. Noncriminal disposition. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A , whoever violates any provision of the rules and regulations adopted or enforced by the Board of Health of the City of Fitchburg may, in the discretion of any agent duly appointed and employed by the Board of Health, be penalized by a noncriminal complaint filed in the District Court or the Housing Court pursuant to the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 21D . For purposes of such noncriminal enforcement, the penalty to apply, in the event of a violation, shall be as follows: $25 for the first offense; $50 for the second offense; $100 for the third offense; and $200 for the fourth offense and each subsequent offense. For purposes of this subsection, an offense shall not be considered a repeat or subsequent offense unless it occurs on or affects the same property as the first offense. Each day on which a violation exists shall be deemed a separate offense.
Fitchburg, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 111 § 111-6 establishes two enforcement tracks for violations of Board of Health rules and regulations. Under the criminal track, a District Court or Worcester County Housing Court may impose a penalty of up to $500 per offense. Under the noncriminal track, a Board of Health agent may instead file a civil complaint with escalating fines—starting at $25 for a first offense and rising to $200 for a fourth or subsequent offense on the same property—with each day a violation continues counted as a separate offense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Fitchburg Board of Health rules should be aware that CH. 111 § 111-6 gives enforcement agents two distinct paths: a criminal complaint carrying up to $500 per offense, or a noncriminal complaint with fines that escalate from $25 to $200 per offense. Because each day a violation persists is treated as a separate offense, operators who promptly correct identified deficiencies generally limit their exposure to repeat-offense penalties. Maintaining documentation of repairs and ongoing compliance with Board of Health regulations is a practice consistent with avoiding escalating liability under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Fitchburg, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 111 § 111-6, tenants living in properties with Board of Health violations may benefit from knowing that enforcement agents can pursue either criminal or noncriminal complaints against landlords, and that fines increase with each repeated violation on the same property. Because each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, ongoing conditions may accumulate significant penalties over time. Tenants who believe their housing conditions violate Board of Health rules can contact the Fitchburg Board of Health to report concerns or consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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