Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.190
Installation and maintenance of structural elements
Operative Text
A. Every owner shall install and maintain the foundation, floors, walls, doors, windows, ceilings, roof, staircases, porches, chimneys and other structural elements of his or her dwelling rodent proof, watertight and free from chronic dampness, weather-tight, in good repair, and in every way fit for the use intended. Further, the owner shall maintain every interior structural element free from holes, cracks, loose plaster or other defects which renders the area difficult to keep clean or which constitutes an accident hazard or insect or rodent harborage. B. No paint that contains lead shall be used in painting the interior of any dwelling. C. The owner shall provide a safe handrail and supporting banister or other protective device for every stairway having a total rise of 30 inches or more which is used or intended for use by the occupants. D. The owner shall provide a wall or protective railing at least 36 inches high for every porch, balcony, roof or similar place which is more than 30 inches above the ground and is used or intended for use by the occupants. E. The floors of every bathroom, toilet compartment, and shower stall and the walls to a height of 48 inches of every bathroom and shower stall shall be constructed of nonabsorbent material which is easily cleanable.
Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.190 establishes structural maintenance standards for residential dwellings. It requires that foundational and exterior elements be rodent-proof, watertight, and weather-tight, while interior surfaces must be free of holes, cracks, or defects that create hazards or harbor pests. The provision also bans lead-based paint on interiors, mandates handrails and guardrails for elevated areas exceeding 30 inches, and requires that bathroom and shower surfaces be made of nonabsorbent, cleanable materials.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.190, compliant property owners routinely inspect and repair structural components — including foundations, roofs, walls, and staircases — to keep them watertight, weather-tight, and free of pest-entry points. Operators ensure that no lead-containing paint is applied to any interior surface, and they install code-compliant handrails on stairways with a total rise over 30 inches and guardrails at least 36 inches high on porches or balconies elevated more than 30 inches. Bathroom and shower areas are finished with nonabsorbent, easily cleanable materials on floors and walls up to 48 inches in height.
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 § 15.12.190 gives occupants the right to live in a dwelling whose structural elements are properly maintained, free from dampness, pest harborage, and accident hazards, and equipped with required handrails and guardrails. If conditions such as crumbling walls, missing railings, chronic leaks, or suspected lead paint are present, tenants may document the issues and report them to Lawrence's code enforcement or housing inspection office. Tenant-rights organizations in the area can help residents understand how a landlord's failure to comply with § 15.12.190 might be raised as a defense in housing proceedings or pursued through a formal complaint process.
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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