Somerville, Mass., Code of Ordinances § 5-6 (2026) § 5-6
Heat and smoke detectors
Operative Text
The chief engineer shall require that every apartment house containing six or more dwelling units, hotels, boarding or lodging houses, or family hotels be equipped with an automatic smoke or heat detector in each dwelling unit and each hallway floor, in compliance with the provisions of Section 26C of Chapter 148 of the General Laws ; provided, however, that an owner of an apartment house, hotel, boarding or lodging house as set forth in this section shall have three years from the date that an order or other directive issued by the chief engineer seeking the installation of approved smoke detectors in accordance with said Section 26C is received by such owner. (Code 1963, § 6-18A)
Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 5, § 5-6 requires that apartment buildings with six or more units, hotels, boarding houses, lodging houses, and family hotels be equipped with automatic smoke or heat detectors in every dwelling unit and every hallway floor. This requirement aligns with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 148, Section 26C. Owners who receive an official order or directive from the chief engineer to install approved detectors are given a three-year window from the date they receive that directive to achieve compliance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 5, § 5-6, operators of covered multi-unit residential properties — including apartment buildings with six or more units, hotels, and boarding or lodging houses — are generally expected to maintain automatic smoke or heat detectors in each dwelling unit and each hallway floor. When the chief engineer issues a formal order or directive requiring installation of approved detectors, compliant operators track the date that order is received, since the three-year compliance period begins at that point. Keeping records of detector installation, maintenance, and any correspondence with the chief engineer's office is a practice consistent with meeting the obligations set out in this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 5, § 5-6 establishes a right for residents of covered buildings — apartment houses with six or more units, hotels, and boarding or lodging houses — to have functioning automatic smoke or heat detectors in their dwelling unit and in hallway floors. If a tenant believes detectors are absent or non-compliant, general enforcement paths include raising the issue with the Somerville chief engineer's office, which holds authority under this provision to issue compliance orders to property owners. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Somerville housing code can help residents understand what options may be available when a property appears to fall short of the standards set by § 5-6.
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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