Lexington, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 63 § 63-1
Findings and purpose (Lexington Housing Conversion and Eviction)
Operative Text
A. The Town of Lexington finds and declares that a serious public emergency exists with respect to adequate housing for a substantial number of its citizens due to the critical shortage of rental and affordable housing within the Town. This shortage has been created and exacerbated by the lack of sufficient new rental housing production, by increases in financing and construction costs, and by increases in the cost of real estate, substantially exceeding increases in personal income. The emergency has also been created and severely aggravated by the proposed conversion of rental housing into condominiums or cooperatives; over 45% of Lexington's apartment rental housing stock has been or is about to be converted into condominiums. Without sufficient new rental production, such conversion necessarily reduces the rental housing stock otherwise available. An increasing shortage of rental housing accommodations, especially for the elderly, the handicapped, single parent households, and persons and families of low and moderate income, has been and will continue to result from this emergency. Furthermore, there is an acute shortage of housing for low and moderate income families, and the Town does not have sufficient such housing units to prevent the application of the provisions of General Laws Chapter 40B to it. Unless the available stock of rental housing (and those who reside therein) receive more protection than the law now affords, from the conversion of said housing accommodations to condominiums and cooperatives, the rental housing shortage will generate serious threats to the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of the Town of Lexington, particularly to the elderly, handicapped, and persons and families of low and moderate income, as defined in Chapter 527 of the Acts of 1983 and in the Housing Element Comprehensive Plan of the Town of Lexington. B. Therefore, in order to address this emergency and to continue to provide a sufficient supply of decent and affordable rental housing in the Town of Lexington, it is necessary that the Town of Lexington, in the exercise of its powers under Chapter 527 of the Acts of 1983 and the Home Rule Amendment of the Constitution of the Commonwealth, further regulate the conversion of rental housing into condominiums and cooperatives.
Lexington, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 63 § 63-1 establishes the legislative foundation for the town's rental housing conversion regulations by declaring a public emergency rooted in a critical shortage of rental and affordable housing. The provision identifies several contributing factors — including rising construction costs, real estate price increases outpacing income growth, and the rapid conversion of rental units into condominiums (with over 45% of apartment stock already converted or in the process of conversion). The rule notes that vulnerable populations, including elderly residents, people with disabilities, single-parent households, and low- and moderate-income families, are disproportionately affected by this shortage. This section does not itself impose requirements but sets out the factual and legal rationale for the regulations that follow under Chapter 63.
Plain English — not legal advice.
CH. 63 § 63-1 signals that Lexington's condominium conversion regulations were enacted in response to a formally declared housing emergency, meaning the rules that follow carry significant public-policy weight. Property owners and managers operating in Lexington who are considering converting rental units to condominiums or cooperatives should be aware that the entire regulatory framework of Chapter 63 flows from this emergency declaration. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the full scope of Chapter 63 and the enabling authority of Chapter 527 of the Acts of 1983 before initiating any conversion process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 63 § 63-1 reflects Lexington's formal recognition that rental housing shortages — particularly those caused by condominium conversions — pose a threat to public welfare, especially for elderly, disabled, and lower-income renters. This findings-and-purpose section underpins the protections that follow in Chapter 63, and tenants facing conversion of their rental building may find it relevant context when seeking to understand the intent behind those protections. Tenants who believe their rights under Chapter 63 are being affected can explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization or reviewing the full Chapter 63 framework for applicable protections.
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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