Cal. Civ. Code § 410.540
Installation of Screens
Operative Text
(A) The owner shall provide and install screens for exterior openable windows so that:
(1) They are in place during the period from April 1st through October 31st in each year;
(2) They are no less than 16 mesh per square inch;
(3) They cover that part of the window designed to be opened, except in double hung
windows where half screens shall meet this requirement; and
(4) They are tight fitting and prevent the entrance of pests.
(B) Expandable, temporary screens shall not satisfy the requirements of 105 CMR 410.540(A).
(C) The owner shall provide and install screen doors for all doorways opening directly to the
outside from any dwelling unit or rooming unit where the screen doors will be permitted to slide
to the side or open in an outward direction so that:
(1) They are in place during the period from April 1st through October 31st in each year;
(2) They are 16 mesh per square inch;
(3) They are equipped with a self-closing device except where the screen is designed to
open to the side; and
(4) They are tight fitting and prevent the entrance of pests.
(D) 105 CMR 410.540(C) shall not apply to homeless shelters.Under 105 Mass. Code Regs. § 410.540, property owners in Massachusetts are required to supply and install window screens and screen doors on exterior openings of dwelling and rooming units during the warm-weather season, specifically April 1 through October 31 each year. Window screens must meet at least a 16-mesh-per-square-inch standard, fit tightly, and cover the openable portion of the window; expandable or temporary screens do not qualify. Screen doors on outward-opening or sliding exterior doorways must also meet the 16-mesh standard and, unless designed to slide, must include a self-closing device — though this door requirement does not apply to homeless shelters.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential rental properties subject to 105 Mass. Code Regs. § 410.540 generally ensure that compliant window screens and screen doors are installed by April 1 and remain in place through October 31 each year. Compliant window screens are permanently fitted (not expandable or temporary), meet the 16-mesh-per-square-inch minimum, and fully cover the openable window area — with half screens acceptable only on double-hung windows. Screen doors on qualifying exterior doorways are similarly mesh-compliant and, where required, equipped with a functioning self-closing device, with records of installation and maintenance kept as part of routine property management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Massachusetts rental units have a right under 105 Mass. Code Regs. § 410.540 to have properly fitted, 16-mesh window screens and qualifying screen doors provided by their owner during the April 1 through October 31 season. If screens are missing, inadequate, or replaced with temporary expandable versions that do not meet the standard, this may constitute a violation of the state Sanitary Code. Tenants who believe this provision is not being met can document the condition, notify the owner in writing, contact their local board of health to request an inspection, or reach out to a tenant-rights organization to understand available 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 September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.