Woburn, Mass., Municipal Code ch. 5 pt. X (2025) § 5-61
Certification by Board of Health
Operative Text
No licenses shall be granted or renewed until the board of health thereof has
certified in writing that the building is provided with a sufficient number of water
closets and urinals and with good and sufficient means of ventilation; and the board
may from time to time require the licensee thoroughly to cleanse and disinfect all
parts of said building and the furniture therein to the satisfaction of such board.
(Prior Ch. 20 sec. 5).Under Woburn Municipal Code ch. 5 pt. X § 5-61, a lodging house license cannot be issued or renewed unless the Board of Health has provided written certification that the building has an adequate number of water closets and urinals and satisfactory ventilation. Beyond the initial certification, the Board of Health retains ongoing authority to direct licensees to thoroughly clean and disinfect the building and its furnishings whenever the Board deems it necessary. This provision ties the continued legal operation of a lodging house directly to the Board of Health's ongoing oversight of sanitary conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of lodging houses subject to § 5-61 of Woburn's Municipal Code generally maintain their facilities so that the number of water closets, urinals, and ventilation systems meets the Board of Health's written certification standards before any license is granted or renewed. Compliant operators also keep records of cleaning and disinfection activities, since the Board of Health may at any time require a thorough cleansing and disinfection of the entire building and its furnishings. Staying ahead of sanitation requirements helps ensure that certification can be issued or renewed without delay.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of lodging houses in Woburn benefit from § 5-61, which requires that the building meet minimum sanitation and ventilation standards as a condition of the operator holding a valid license. If a lodging house appears to lack adequate facilities or proper ventilation, tenants may consider contacting the Woburn Board of Health, which holds authority under this provision to require corrective action and to mandate cleaning and disinfection. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what options may be available when sanitation concerns arise.
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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