Brookline, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 8 3 § 8.3.6
Wallpaper (Brookline Dwelling Houses Used in Common)
Operative Text
No wallpaper shall be placed upon a wall or ceiling of any room in such dwelling houses unless all wallpaper shall be first removed therefrom and the wall and ceiling thoroughly cleaned.
Section 8.3.6 of Brookline's Code of Bylaws establishes a preparation requirement before new wallpaper may be installed in any room of a dwelling. Specifically, all existing wallpaper must be fully stripped and the underlying wall or ceiling surface must be thoroughly cleaned before any new wallpaper is applied. The rule applies to any room within covered dwelling houses and does not allow new wallpaper to be layered over old.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8.3.6, property owners and managers overseeing dwelling units in Brookline are expected to ensure that any wallpapering work follows a complete strip-and-clean process before new material goes up. Compliant operators typically document the removal of old wallpaper and the cleaning of surfaces prior to scheduling installation. Keeping records of this preparation work—such as contractor invoices or before-and-after photographs—can help demonstrate adherence to the bylaw.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8.3.6 gives tenants in Brookline dwelling houses a basis to raise concerns if new wallpaper appears to have been applied over existing layers without proper surface preparation. Tenants who believe this standard has not been met may consider contacting Brookline's local housing or building inspection office to request an inspection. Tenant-rights organizations in the area can also help residents understand how § 8.3.6 fits into broader habitability and maintenance standards.
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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