Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.320
Variances
Operative Text
A. Generally. The board of health may vary the application of any provision of this chapter with respect to any particular case when, in its opinion, the enforcement thereof would do manifest injustice; provided, that the decision of the board of health shall not conflict with the spirit of the minimum standards in this chapter. Any variance granted by the board of health shall be in writing. A copy of any such variance shall, while it is in effect, be available to the public at all reasonable hours in the office of the clerk of the city or town, or in the office of the board of health, and notice of the grant of variance shall be filed with the commissioner of public health of the commonwealth. B. Conditions, revocation, modification, etc. Any variance or other modification authorized to be made by this chapter may be subject to such qualification, revocation, suspension or expiration as the board of health expresses in its grant. A variance or other modification authorized to be made by this chapter may otherwise be revoked, modified or suspended, in whole or in part, only after the holder thereof has been notified in writing and has been given an opportunity to be heard, in conformity with the requirements for an order and hearing of sections 15.12.260 and 15.12.270 .
Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.320 establishes a process by which the Lawrence Board of Health may grant exceptions to the housing standards in Chapter 15.12 when strict enforcement would cause clear and serious unfairness, so long as the exception does not undermine the chapter's core minimum standards. Any variance granted must be documented in writing and made available to the public through the city clerk's or board of health's office, and notice must be sent to the Commonwealth's Commissioner of Public Health. The rule also sets limits on how variances can be changed or taken away: conditions may be built into the original grant, but any later revocation, modification, or suspension generally requires written notice and a hearing opportunity for the variance holder.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers operating under a variance issued pursuant to Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.320 generally keep a copy of the written variance on hand and confirm that it remains accessible through the appropriate public office. Compliant operators pay close attention to any conditions, expiration dates, or qualifications the Board of Health attached to the variance at the time of its grant, since those terms define the scope of the exception. If the Board of Health initiates a revocation, modification, or suspension proceeding, operators are generally entitled to written notice and an opportunity to be heard before any change takes effect, consistent with the procedures referenced in §§ 15.12.260 and 15.12.270.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Lawrence Code of Ordinances ch. 15.12 § 15.12.320, tenants and members of the public have the right to inspect any active variance at the city clerk's office or the Board of Health's office during reasonable hours, which can help clarify why a particular housing standard may be applied differently at a given property. If a tenant believes a variance is being used in a way that conflicts with the minimum standards of Chapter 15.12, they may consider raising that concern with the Lawrence Board of Health directly. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with local housing regulations can help explain how § 15.12.320 interacts with other protections in the chapter and what options may be available for raising a concern formally.
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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