Harwich, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 230 § 230-2
Violations and penalties (Harwich Rental Dwellings)
Operative Text
Upon the arrest and conviction for violation of any statute of the commonwealth reported to have taken place on any such rented or leased premises as described in § 230-1 , the tenant, holder of a lease, and anyone found to be in violation of the preceding section shall be punished by a fine of $20, if at the time of said violation it was found that the number of occupants on or about any such premises exceeded 200% of the registered occupancy as required by the provisions of § 230-1 of this bylaw or the amount so to be determined by the Health Inspector if no such registration shall be in effect.
Harwich, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 230 § 230-2 establishes a monetary penalty for certain occupancy violations at rented or leased premises. Specifically, a fine of $20 applies when a tenant or leaseholder is arrested and convicted of a state-law violation that occurred at a rental property, and the number of occupants at the time was found to exceed 200% of the registered occupancy limit set under § 230-1. If no occupancy registration is in effect, the Health Inspector determines the applicable occupancy standard against which the 200% threshold is measured.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 230 § 230-2, compliant operators in Harwich generally ensure that their rental properties are properly registered with an occupancy limit as required by § 230-1, since the absence of a registration shifts the occupancy determination to the Health Inspector. Maintaining accurate occupancy records and communicating the registered occupancy limit to tenants are practices associated with compliance. Operators familiar with this bylaw also understand that enforcement is triggered by a criminal arrest and conviction for a state-law violation occurring on the premises, not merely by an administrative complaint.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 230 § 230-2 sets out the consequences that can follow for a tenant or leaseholder who is arrested and convicted of a state-law violation at a rental property where occupancy was found to exceed 200% of the registered limit under § 230-1. Tenants who believe an occupancy registration is inaccurate or that no valid registration exists may wish to note that the Health Inspector plays a role in determining the applicable standard when no registration is on file. Those with questions about their rights or the occupancy rules that apply to their rental unit may find it helpful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Harwich bylaws.
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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