Mass. Gen. Laws c. 121B § 32A
Parking areas; rules and regulations; towing
Operative Text
Section 32A. A housing authority may make reasonable rules and regulations for the use of parking areas under its control and may make reasonable charges for the use of such areas; provided, however, no housing authority shall charge its tenants for the use of any parking space within an area under its control. Any such authority shall have the power to tow any abandoned or unregistered vehicle which is parked in any area under their control. At least one attested copy of said rules and regulations shall be posted at each facility and any violation thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars.
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 121B § 32A authorizes public housing authorities in Massachusetts to establish and post reasonable rules governing parking areas they control, but expressly prohibits those authorities from charging tenants any fee for using a parking space. Authorities are also empowered to tow abandoned or unregistered vehicles from their lots. Violations of the posted parking rules carry a fine of up to twenty dollars.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 121B § 32A, a compliant housing authority posts at least one attested copy of its parking rules and regulations at each facility and refrains from billing tenants for parking spaces within areas under its control. Authorities that wish to remove vehicles must ensure those vehicles qualify as abandoned or unregistered before exercising the towing power granted by this section. Fines for rule violations are capped at twenty dollars, so enforcement programs are structured accordingly.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 121B § 32A gives public housing tenants a clear right to use parking areas without being charged a fee by the housing authority. If a tenant believes a housing authority is improperly billing for parking or has not properly posted its rules, that concern can be raised with the housing authority's management, brought before a local tenant-rights organization, or presented as a defense in any proceeding related to an alleged violation. Tenants who receive a fine for a parking rule violation should be aware the statute caps such fines at twenty dollars.
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.
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