Fall River, Mass., Code of Bylaws art v rodents § 34-287
Removing, damaging or interfering with ratproofing (Fall River Art. V Control of Rodents and Other Vermin)
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, damage or destroy any part of any building or other appurtenance of improved real estate premises intended to protect such premises against ingress of rats, or in any way to create a condition by which ingress for rats is made possible; provided that this section shall not apply where the interference with the ratproofing is made necessary in connection with a lawful construction and is promptly restored.
Section 34-287 of Fall River's Code of Bylaws makes it unlawful for any person to remove, damage, or destroy rat-proofing features on a building or its appurtenances, or to otherwise create conditions that allow rats to enter. The rule applies to anyone—owners, tenants, contractors, or others—who might compromise these protective measures. An exception exists when interference with rat-proofing is required as part of lawful construction work, so long as the protective measures are promptly restored afterward.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-287, compliant property operators generally maintain all rat-proofing elements—such as sealed entry points, screens, and barriers—in good working order and ensure that no alterations to the building create new openings for rat ingress. When construction or renovation work temporarily requires disturbing rat-proofing features, operators typically document the work and restore those protections as soon as the construction activity allows. Keeping records of inspections and repairs related to rat-proofing can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-287 establishes that no one—including a landlord or contractor—may remove or damage rat-proofing features or create conditions that allow rats to enter a building. If a tenant observes that rat-proofing has been removed or compromised without prompt restoration, they may report the condition to Fall River's local code enforcement or health department, which can investigate potential violations. Tenant-rights organizations in Massachusetts can also help residents understand what options are generally available when a building's pest-prevention measures appear to have been neglected or deliberately altered.
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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