Lowell, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 176 § 176-1
Definitions (Lowell Housing Standards)
Operative Text
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: OWNER'S AGENT Any person, entity, agency, firm, or corporation authorized to represent the owner in matters pertaining to the management, rental, collection of rents, or maintenance of the rental unit. RENTAL UNIT As established by Massachusetts Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410 ) and the Lowell Zoning Code, any legal dwelling, housing, rooming, or tenement unit provided, rented or operated for compensation, and allowing occupancy by one or more persons for 30 or more consecutive days. Rental units shall not include dormitories, owner-occupied two-family units, health-care facilities, or units designated specifically for the care of the sick, aged, disabled or convalescent. VIOLATION NOTICE A written notice of violation or violation ticket issued by a code enforcement inspector from the Division of Development Services or Lowell Fire Department indicating one or more violations of Massachusetts Sanitary Code, Building Code, Fire Code or local ordinances.
Section 176-1 of Lowell's Code of Bylaws (CH. 176) establishes the foundational definitions that govern the rest of the rental-unit article. It specifies what qualifies as a 'rental unit'—broadly, any legal dwelling rented for compensation for 30 or more consecutive days, with certain exclusions such as dormitories, owner-occupied two-family units, and health-care facilities. It also defines who counts as an 'owner's agent' and what constitutes a 'violation notice,' the latter being a written citation issued by a code enforcement inspector from the Division of Development Services or the Lowell Fire Department.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 176 § 176-1, property owners and their authorized representatives—including property managers, agencies, or firms handling rent collection or maintenance—are considered 'owner's agents' and are subject to the article's requirements. Compliant operators generally ensure that any unit they rent for 30 or more consecutive days and that falls within the definition of a 'rental unit' is managed in accordance with the Massachusetts Sanitary Code, Building Code, Fire Code, and local ordinances. Operators also typically maintain clear records of any violation notices issued by the Division of Development Services or the Lowell Fire Department, as those notices carry formal legal significance under this article.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 176 § 176-1 sets out the definitions that determine whether a tenant's housing situation falls under Lowell's rental-unit regulations, including whether the space qualifies as a 'rental unit' and whether any written citation received constitutes a formal 'violation notice.' Tenants who receive or are aware of a violation notice issued by a code enforcement inspector from the Division of Development Services or the Lowell Fire Department may find that document relevant when asserting housing-condition rights. Tenants seeking to understand how these definitions apply to their situation can consult local tenant-rights organizations or the City of Lowell's Division of Development Services for general information.
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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