Gloucester, Mass., Code of Ordinances ch. 27 (2026) § 27-3
Violations; penalty; jurisdiction
Operative Text
(a) Any owner who converts residential property in violation of any provisions of this chapter shall be punished by a fine of not less than $300.00. Each unit converted in violation of this chapter constitutes a separate offense. (b) Any violation of this chapter by an owner of residential property shall not affect the validity of a conveyance of a condominium unit or an interest in a housing cooperative to a purchaser for value who has no knowledge of the violation. (c) The district and superior courts have jurisdiction over an action arising from any violation of this chapter and have jurisdiction in equity to restrain any such violation.
Gloucester Code of Ordinances ch. 27 § 27-3 establishes that property owners who convert residential property to condominiums or housing cooperatives in violation of the chapter's requirements face a minimum fine of $300 per converted unit, with each unit treated as a separate offense. Importantly, a violation by the owner does not invalidate the sale of a unit to a good-faith buyer who was unaware of the violation. Both district and superior courts hold jurisdiction over these violations and may issue equitable relief, including orders to stop an unlawful conversion.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Gloucester Code of Ordinances ch. 27 § 27-3, compliant operators ensure that every aspect of a residential conversion meets the chapter's requirements before proceeding, since each non-conforming unit triggers a separate minimum $300 fine. Operators generally maintain thorough documentation of their compliance steps so that any question about a conversion can be addressed clearly. Because courts may issue injunctions halting an unlawful conversion mid-process, operators typically resolve compliance questions before units are marketed or sold.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Gloucester Code of Ordinances ch. 27 § 27-3 provides that an owner who converts residential property unlawfully faces fines starting at $300 per unit, and courts can be asked to halt the conversion entirely through equitable relief. Tenants who believe a conversion is proceeding in violation of ch. 27 may raise that violation in district or superior court proceedings or consult a tenant-rights organization to understand available options. Notably, the provision protects good-faith purchasers who bought without knowledge of a violation, so tenants facing displacement may want to understand how that protection interacts with their own rights under the chapter.
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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