Rockland, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 288 § 288-8
Incorporation of Administrative Procedure Act (Rockland Mobile Home Parks)
Operative Text
The provisions of MGL c. 30A shall be applicable to the rent board, established under section four, as if said rent board were an agency of the commonwealth, including those provisions giving agencies the power to issue, vacate, modify and enforce subpoenas as well as those provisions relating to judicial review of an agency order.
Rockland's CH. 288 § 288-8 extends Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A — the state's Administrative Procedure Act — to the local Rent Board as though it were a state agency. This means the Rent Board has formal procedural powers, including the authority to issue, vacate, and modify subpoenas, and its decisions are subject to judicial review under the same standards that apply to state agency orders. The provision effectively gives the Rent Board the procedural legitimacy and accountability mechanisms of a full state administrative body.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 288 § 288-8, the Rockland Rent Board operates with the procedural authority of a state agency, meaning landlords who appear before it can expect formal administrative procedures governed by MGL c. 30A. Compliant operators generally maintain thorough documentation and respond to any subpoenas or information requests the Board issues in accordance with those procedures. Because Board orders are subject to judicial review under state administrative law, landlords typically preserve their records and procedural objections throughout any hearing process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 288 § 288-8 means that the Rockland Rent Board must follow the procedural standards of MGL c. 30A, giving tenants the benefit of formal administrative protections during any proceeding. If a tenant believes a Rent Board order was improperly issued, the incorporation of Chapter 30A opens a pathway to judicial review of that order under state administrative law standards. Tenants seeking to understand how these procedural rights apply to their situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Massachusetts administrative procedure.
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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