Barnstable, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 170 § 170-13
Violations and penalties (Barnstable Rental Properties)
Operative Text
[Amended 8-1-2013 by Order No. 2013-034 ] A. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $300. Any owner of a rental property found to have two documented violations within any twelve-month period shall pay a fine of $300. Each day of continued violation may be deemed to be a separate offense. B. This chapter may be enforced under the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 21D . The fine for any violation under the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 21D shall be $100, or $300 for any owner of a rental property found to have two documented violations within any twelve-month period. Each day of continued violation may be deemed to be a separate offense.
Barnstable, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 170 § 170-13 establishes financial penalties for violations of Chapter 170's rental housing rules. A single violation can result in a fine of up to $300, while a rental property owner who accumulates two documented violations within any twelve-month period faces a mandatory $300 fine. Importantly, each day that a violation continues may be counted as a separate offense, meaning fines can compound over time. The chapter may also be enforced under the non-criminal ticketing process established by Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, § 21D, with fines set at $100 per violation or $300 for repeat violators.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental property in Barnstable should be aware that CH. 170 § 170-13 creates an escalating penalty structure tied to documented violation history. A compliant operator generally addresses any identified deficiency promptly, since each day of continued non-compliance can be treated as a new, separately fineable offense. Owners who accumulate two documented violations within a rolling twelve-month window face a mandatory $300 fine rather than a discretionary one, so maintaining records of corrective actions taken in response to any notice is a common practice among diligent property managers.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Barnstable, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 170 § 170-13, tenants have the benefit of a penalty framework that holds landlords financially accountable for violations of Chapter 170, including repeat offenders who face mandatory fines. The provision allows enforcement through the non-criminal citation process under MGL c. 40, § 21D, which provides a formal channel for documented complaints. Tenants who believe a violation has occurred may consider contacting the relevant Barnstable municipal enforcement office, consulting a local tenant-rights organization, or reviewing whether the violation could be raised as a defense in a related housing proceeding.
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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