Natick, Mass., Bd. of Health Reg. ch. XI (2002) § 9
PENALTY
Operative Text
(a) Criminal Complaint - Whoever violates any provision of these
rules and regulations may be penalized by indictment or on
complaint brought in the District Court. Except as may
otherwise be provided by law, and as the District Court may
see fit to impose, the maximum penalty for any violation of
these provisions shall be $300.00 for each offense.
(b) Non-Criminal Disposition - Whoever violates any provision of
these rules and regulations may, in the discretion of the Health
Agent, be penalized by a non-criminal complaint in the District
Court pursuant to the provisions of the Massachusetts General
Laws, Chapter 40, Section 21D. For the purpose of this
provision the penalty to apply in the event of a violation shall
be as follows: $50.00 for the first offense; $100.00 for the
second offense; $200.00 for the third offense; and $300.00 for
the fourth and each subsequent offense.
Each day on which a violation exists shall be deemed to be a
separate offense.
Amended February 12, 2002
Summary published March 29, 2002
BOARD OF HEALTH
Peter A. Delli Colli, D.M.D,.
Chairman
Donald J. Breda, P.E., Vice
Chairman.
Michael D. Bliss, J.D., ClerkSection 9 of Natick's Board of Health Regulation Ch. XI establishes two enforcement tracks for violations of the town's minimum housing standards. Under the criminal track, a violator may face prosecution by indictment or complaint in District Court, with a maximum penalty of $300 per offense. Under the non-criminal track, the Health Agent may instead pursue a civil complaint, with escalating fines starting at $50 for a first offense and reaching $300 for a fourth or subsequent offense — and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Natick's minimum housing standards should be aware that Section 9 gives the Health Agent discretion to pursue either criminal or non-criminal enforcement for any violation. Operators who maintain properties in continuous compliance avoid the risk of daily fines that can compound quickly under the non-criminal track, where each day of a continuing violation is treated as a new offense. Keeping documentation of repairs, inspections, and corrective actions is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating good-faith compliance under regulations like Ch. XI § 9.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 9 of Natick Board of Health Reg. Ch. XI provides that the Health Agent has authority to initiate enforcement action against landlords who violate the town's minimum housing standards, through either criminal or non-criminal complaint. Tenants who believe their housing conditions fall below those standards may contact the Natick Board of Health to request an inspection, which can trigger the enforcement process described in this provision. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand what options exist, including how a documented violation and the daily-offense structure under § 9 might be relevant to their situation.
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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