Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws art v rodents § 34-283
Ratproofing of buildings (Fall River Art. V Control of Rodents and Other Vermin)
Operative Text
No building or structure shall be erected, repaired, altered or extended in this City unless provision is made for ratproofing such structure.
Section 34-283 of Fall River's Code of Bylaws establishes that any building or structure in the city must include ratproofing measures whenever it is newly erected, repaired, altered, or extended. The rule applies broadly to all such construction activity, making rodent-proofing a baseline requirement rather than an optional feature. This provision is part of the city's broader effort under Article V to control rodent populations through building standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-283, compliant property owners and managers in Fall River incorporate ratproofing measures into any construction project—whether that involves new builds, repairs, alterations, or extensions. This typically means coordinating with contractors to ensure that materials, sealing methods, and structural details meet rodent-exclusion standards before work is completed. Keeping documentation of ratproofing measures taken during each project can help demonstrate compliance if questions arise.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-283 gives tenants a basis to raise concerns when a building in Fall River has undergone construction work without adequate ratproofing, particularly if rodent problems emerge afterward. Tenants who observe rodent activity following repairs, alterations, or extensions to their building may consider contacting the Fall River building or health department to report a potential violation of this provision. Local tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what options are generally available when a landlord's construction work appears to fall short of the city's rodent-proofing requirements.
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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