Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.100
Exits
Operative Text
A. Every dwelling, dwelling unit and rooming unit shall have as many means of exit as will allow for the safe passage of all people. No fewer than two acceptable exits from each dwelling unit and each floor of every rooming house shall satisfy this minimum requirement; provided, that in buildings which have exterior walls, fire walls and party walls of brick, stone, concrete or other equally substantial and fire-resistive materials, floor and roof construction of metal, reinforced concrete, terra cotta, brick or other equally fire-resistive materials with the above construction as well as the interior partitions having a class 1 fire-resistant rating not less than that specified in the Table of Minimum Fire-Resistive Requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety, "Regulations Applicable to Buildings," dated May 25, 1961, a single acceptable exit from each dwelling unit leading to at least two acceptable exits from each floor of the building shall satisfy this requirement. B. No person shall obstruct any exit or passageway. The owner is responsible for maintaining free from obstruction every exit used or intended for use by occupants of more than one dwelling unit or rooming unit. The occupant shall be responsible for maintaining free from obstruction all means of exit leading from his or her unit and not common to the exit of any other unit.
Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.100 establishes minimum exit requirements for dwellings, dwelling units, and rooming units, generally requiring at least two acceptable exits per unit and per floor of a rooming house. Buildings constructed entirely of specified fire-resistive materials meeting Massachusetts Department of Public Safety standards may qualify for a limited exception, allowing a single exit from each unit so long as at least two exits serve each floor. The provision also prohibits anyone from blocking exits or passageways, assigning responsibility for shared exits to the owner and responsibility for unit-level exits to the occupant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.100, compliant property owners and managers generally ensure that every dwelling unit and rooming house floor is served by the required number of acceptable exits and that all shared exits and passageways remain clear of obstructions at all times. Owners who believe their building qualifies for the fire-resistive construction exception typically document the materials and ratings of exterior walls, fire walls, floor and roof construction, and interior partitions against the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety standards referenced in the provision. Routine inspections of common exit routes help operators identify and address potential obstructions before they become code violations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.100 gives occupants a clear stake in exit safety: tenants are responsible for keeping exits leading from their own unit unobstructed, while the owner bears responsibility for shared exit routes. If a tenant believes shared exits are being blocked or that the building lacks the required number of exits, they may consider filing a complaint with the Lawrence building or housing inspection department or raising the violation in any relevant housing proceeding. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Lawrence housing code can help occupants understand what options are generally available under this provision.
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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