Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 8.20 § 8.20.140
Enforcement
Operative Text
Violations of this chapter may also be enforced in the manner provided in MGL chapter 40, section 21D. All inspectional services personnel, inspectors, commissioner, assistant commissioner, enforcement prosecutor, fire, and police personnel shall be deemed to be enforcing persons for the purpose of this chapter.
Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 8.20 § 8.20.140 establishes that violations of the housing chapter can be pursued through the non-criminal disposition process set out in Massachusetts General Law chapter 40, section 21D. It also broadly defines who qualifies as an 'enforcing person,' encompassing a wide range of city personnel—from inspectional services staff and commissioners to fire and police personnel—all of whom carry authority to act on violations under this chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 8.20 § 8.20.140, compliant property owners and managers are aware that enforcement authority is not limited to a single city department. Because inspectional services staff, fire personnel, police, and others are all designated as enforcing persons, operators generally maintain their properties in conformance with the chapter's requirements at all times, recognizing that a citation or non-criminal disposition notice under MGL ch. 40, § 21D can originate from multiple city agencies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 8.20 § 8.20.140 means that tenants who observe potential violations of the housing chapter have multiple avenues for reporting, since a broad range of city personnel—including inspectors, fire officials, and police—are empowered to enforce it. Tenants may report concerns to the city's inspectional services department or other relevant city offices, and violations can be processed through the non-criminal disposition framework under MGL ch. 40, § 21D. Tenant-rights organizations in the Lawrence area can help explain what options are generally available under this provision.
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.
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