Franklin, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 85 § 85-5
Violations and penalties (Franklin Smoke Detectors, Installation of)
Operative Text
Effective January 1, 1996, any person who, after 72 hours from an inspection and receipt of a warning of noncompliance, continues to violate any provision of this chapter may, in the discretion of the Town official who is the enforcing person, be penalized by a civil fine pursuant in MGL c. 40, § 21D , as an alternative to the criminal fine provided for in MGL c. 148, § 34 . The fine for each such violation shall be $50. Each day that such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense for the purpose of determining the amount of said civil fine.
Franklin, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 85 § 85-5 establishes that once a person has been inspected and warned of a code violation, they have 72 hours to come into compliance. If the violation continues beyond that window, the town's enforcing official has discretion to impose a civil fine of $50 per day as an alternative to criminal penalties under state law. Each day the violation persists is treated as a separate offense, meaning fines can accumulate on a daily basis.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Franklin, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 85 § 85-5, property owners and managers who receive a noncompliance warning following an inspection are expected to address the cited violation within 72 hours. Operators who remain in violation after that period may face a $50 civil fine for each day the violation continues, with the town official retaining discretion over whether to pursue civil or criminal penalties. Maintaining records of corrective actions taken after an inspection can help demonstrate timely efforts toward compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Franklin, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 85 § 85-5 provides a civil enforcement mechanism that town officials may use against parties who fail to correct code violations within 72 hours of an inspection and warning. Tenants who believe a landlord is maintaining conditions that violate Chapter 85 may report ongoing noncompliance to the relevant Franklin town official, who has discretion to issue daily fines. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing agencies can help residents understand what options are generally available when a landlord has received a warning but has not corrected the cited conditions.
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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