Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.270
Hearing
Operative Text
A. Unless otherwise specified in this chapter, the person or persons to whom any order has been served pursuant to any section of this chapter may request a hearing before the board of health by filing with the board of health within seven days after the day the order was served a written petition requesting a hearing on the matter. Upon receipt of such petition, the board of health shall set a time and place for such hearing and shall inform the petitioner thereof in writing. The hearing shall be commenced not later than 30 days after the day on which the order was served. The board of health, upon application of the petitioner, may postpone the date of the hearing for a reasonable time beyond such 30-day period if in the judgment of the board of health the petitioner has submitted a good and sufficient reason for such postponement. B. At the hearing the petitioner shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show why the order should be modified or withdrawn. C. After the hearing the board of health shall sustain, modify or withdraw the order and shall inform the petitioner in writing of its decision. If the board of health sustains or modifies the order, it shall be carried out within the time period allotted in the original order or in the modification. D. Every notice, order or other record prepared by the board of health in connection with the hearing shall be entered as a matter of public record in the office of the clerk of the city or town, or in the office of the board of health. E. If a written petition for a hearing is not filed with the board of health within seven days after the day an order has been served or if after a hearing the order has been sustained in any part, each day's failure to comply with the order as issued or modified shall constitute an additional offense.
Under Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.270, any person who receives a board of health order has seven days from the date of service to file a written petition requesting a hearing. The board of health must schedule that hearing within 30 days of the order's service date, though it may grant a postponement for good cause. After the hearing, the board issues a written decision to sustain, modify, or withdraw the order, and all related records become part of the public record. If no petition is filed within seven days, or if the order is upheld after a hearing, each day of non-compliance counts as a separate violation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who receive a board of health order under § 15.12.270 generally track the seven-day window carefully, as missing that deadline eliminates the formal hearing pathway and triggers per-day violation exposure. Compliant operators typically file a written petition promptly if they believe an order warrants review, and they document any request for a postponement with a clear, substantive reason. Even while a hearing is pending, operators commonly continue working toward compliance, since the original order's timeline remains in effect unless the board modifies it.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants and other affected parties should be aware that § 15.12.270 creates a public record of all board of health orders and hearing decisions, which can be accessed through the city or town clerk's office or the board of health's office. If a tenant receives an order, the provision establishes a right to appear before the board, present arguments, and request that the order be changed or withdrawn. Tenants who want to understand how this hearing process intersects with their housing rights may find it useful to contact a local tenant-rights organization or review resources available through Lawrence's board of health.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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