Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.71 § 8.71.070
Violation penalty
Operative Text
8.71.070.1 Noncriminal Disposition. Whoever violates any provision of this chapter may be penalized by a noncriminal disposition as provided in G.L. c. 40, s. 21D. For purposes of this section, the Commissioner of Inspectional Services and his or her designee shall be the enforcing officer. The penalty for each violation shall not exceed three hundred dollars. Each day's violation shall constitute a separate violation. 8.71.070.2 Criminal Penalty. Any person who violates any provisions of this chapter may be subject to a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars, and each day's violation shall constitute a separate offense. For purposes of this section, the Commissioner of Inspectional Services shall be the enforcing officer, except that the Commissioner may delegate his enforcing authority to designated Inspectional Services Enforcement Officers.
Cambridge Code of Ordinances ch. 8.71 § 8.71.070 establishes two parallel enforcement tracks for violations of Chapter 8.71: a noncriminal disposition process under Massachusetts General Law and a criminal penalty process. Under either track, fines can reach up to $300 per violation, and each day a violation continues is treated as a distinct, separate violation. The Commissioner of Inspectional Services — or authorized designees — serves as the enforcing officer under both tracks.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8.71.070, property owners and managers operating under Cambridge's Chapter 8.71 face potential daily fines of up to $300 per violation, meaning a prolonged noncompliance period can accumulate into a substantial total penalty. Operators who stay current with inspectional requirements and promptly correct any cited deficiencies generally avoid the compounding effect of per-day violations. Keeping records of corrective actions and communications with the Inspectional Services Department is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating good-faith compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8.71.070 gives Cambridge's Inspectional Services Department the authority to pursue fines against parties who violate Chapter 8.71, with penalties accruing daily — a mechanism that can create ongoing pressure for correction. Tenants who believe a landlord is in violation of Chapter 8.71 may consider filing a complaint with the Cambridge Inspectional Services Department, which holds enforcement authority under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations in Cambridge can help residents understand how this penalty structure interacts with other available remedies.
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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