Fairhaven, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 190 § 190-17
Enforcement (Fairhaven Short-Term Rentals)
Operative Text
The Town may enforce the provisions of this chapter by any or all of the following: the noncriminal disposition process of MGL c. 40, § 21D; by seeking to restrain a violation by injunction; and by filing a complaint in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Chapter 190, Section 190-17 of Fairhaven's Code of Bylaws gives the Town multiple legal tools to address violations of its rental regulations. The Town may pursue a noncriminal ticket-based process under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40, Section 21D, seek a court injunction to stop an ongoing violation, or file a formal complaint in a court of competent jurisdiction. These enforcement paths can be used individually or in combination, depending on the nature of the violation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 190 § 190-17, the Town of Fairhaven is authorized to respond to violations through administrative fines, injunctive relief, or court action — or any combination of the three. Operators who maintain properties in compliance with Chapter 190's requirements reduce exposure to all three enforcement tracks. Keeping thorough records of compliance efforts is a practice commonly associated with responsible property management in jurisdictions with multi-track enforcement authority.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 190 § 190-17 establishes that the Town of Fairhaven — not individual tenants — holds the authority to initiate enforcement actions under this chapter. Tenants who believe a violation has occurred may report concerns to the appropriate Town department, which can then decide whether to pursue noncriminal disposition, injunctive relief, or court action. Tenant-rights organizations in Massachusetts can help residents understand how local enforcement processes work and what options may be available to them.
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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