Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.60 § 8.60.090
Effect of fine in subsequent court actions
Operative Text
A copy of the administrative citation indicating that a fine has been issued as a result of the owner's failure to remedy a violation cited in the administrative citation shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 111, Section 127A et seq. and Chapter 239, Section 8A in any legal action by or against the owner.
Under Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.60 § 8.60.090, a copy of an administrative citation showing that a fine was issued because an owner failed to correct a cited violation automatically serves as prima facie evidence of a housing-code violation in any subsequent court proceeding. This means that in civil or other legal actions—whether brought by or against the property owner—the citation itself carries presumptive weight under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 111 § 127A et seq. and Chapter 239 § 8A. The rule does not resolve a case on its own, but it establishes a starting evidentiary presumption that a court must reckon with.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Cambridge should be aware that under ch. 8.60 § 8.60.090, an unresolved administrative citation that results in a fine can follow them into court as built-in evidence of a code violation. Compliant operators generally address cited violations promptly and document their remediation efforts so that no fine-bearing citation is ever issued. Maintaining thorough records of repairs, inspections, and communications with the city helps demonstrate that violations were corrected before the fine stage was reached.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.60 § 8.60.090 gives tenants a potentially significant evidentiary tool: if a landlord received an administrative citation and was fined for failing to fix a violation, a copy of that citation can serve as prima facie evidence of a housing-code violation in court proceedings under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 239 § 8A, which governs certain defenses in eviction cases. Tenants who are aware of outstanding fines against their landlord may be able to raise this evidence as part of a defense or claim in a legal action. Tenant-rights organizations and local rent boards can help explain how this provision interacts with other housing protections available in Cambridge.
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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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