Rockland, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 288 § 288-1
Declaration of emergency (Rockland Mobile Home Parks)
Operative Text
The Town of Rockland, acting by and through its Town Meeting, finds and declares that a serious public emergency exists in the Town of Rockland with respect to the housing of a substantial number of the citizens of said Town, which emergency has been created by excessive, abnormally high and unwarranted rental increases imposed by some owners of mobile home parks located therein: that unless mobile home park rents and eviction of tenants are regulated and controlled, such emergency and the further inflationary pressures resulting therefrom will produce serious threats to the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of said Town, particularly the elderly; that such emergency should be met by the Town of Rockland immediately and with due regard for the rights and responsibilities of its citizens, and that this bylaw is adopted under, and by accepting, the provisions of Chapter 346 of the Acts of 1984.
Rockland, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 288 § 288-1 establishes the legal foundation for the town's mobile home park rent and eviction control program by formally declaring a public emergency. The Town Meeting found that excessive and unwarranted rent increases by some mobile home park owners threatened the health, safety, and welfare of residents—particularly elderly citizens. This declaration invokes the authority granted by Chapter 346 of the Acts of 1984, giving the town the legal basis to regulate rents and evictions in mobile home parks.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 288 § 288-1, the Town of Rockland has formally declared that unchecked rent increases in mobile home parks constitute a public emergency, which is the stated justification for the rent and eviction controls that follow in the bylaw. Operators of mobile home parks in Rockland generally familiarize themselves with the full scope of CH. 288 to understand which rent increases and eviction actions are permissible under the framework authorized by Chapter 346 of the Acts of 1984. Staying current with the bylaw's requirements helps park owners avoid actions that could be deemed violations of the emergency controls the town has put in place.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 288 § 288-1 reflects the Town of Rockland's formal recognition that mobile home park residents—especially elderly tenants—face serious risks from excessive rent increases, and it serves as the legal cornerstone for the protections that follow in the bylaw. Tenants in Rockland mobile home parks can point to this declaration as the basis for the rent and eviction regulations adopted under Chapter 346 of the Acts of 1984. Those who believe their rights under CH. 288 have been violated may consider contacting the town's relevant municipal office or a local tenant-rights organization to learn about available complaint and enforcement options.
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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