Marlborough, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 420 § 420-1
Definitions (Marlborough Multifamily Dwellings)
Operative Text
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: CERTIFICATE REGARDING LEGAL MULTIFAMILY DWELLING UNITS A certificate signed and issued by the Building Commissioner or his/her designee, in which the Commissioner or his/her designee certifies, based upon review of records then on file in the office of the Building Commissioner, the following: 1) the use group of the subject property authorized under the version of the State Building Code in effect at the time of the signing and issuance of the certificate; 2) the zoning classification of the subject property authorized under the version of the Marlborough Zoning Ordinance in effect at the time of the signing and issuance of the certificate; and 3) the number of dwelling units (as the term "dwelling units" is referenced in Articles II and V of the Marlborough Zoning Ordinance [1] ) at the subject property authorized under the version of the Marlborough Zoning Ordinance in effect at the time of the signing and issuance of the certificate. PERSON A natural person, whether said person is acting individually or as a trustee of a trust, and shall also mean a corporation, association, partnership, firm or limited-liability company. The singular use of the term includes the plural where the context so indicates. QUALIFIED MULTIFAMILY DWELLING A building or group of buildings located on the subject property and containing not less than three and not more than 20 dwelling units, unless the person owning a multifamily dwelling located on the subject property can document with written records, to the express written satisfaction of the Building Commissioner or his/her designee, that prior to June 2, 1986, (the effective date when creation or conversion beyond a two-family dwelling requires a special permit from the Marlborough City Council) the building or group of buildings located on the subject property was authorized, under the version of the Marlborough Zoning Ordinance in effect at the time of creation or conversion beyond a two-family dwelling, to contain not less than three and not more than 20 dwelling units. SUBJECT PROPERTY The lot or lots of land in the City of Marlborough that is or are the subject of a certificate regarding legal multifamily dwelling units. [1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 650 , Zoning.
Marlborough, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 420 § 420-1 establishes the key definitions that govern the city's legal multifamily dwelling unit certification framework. A 'Certificate Regarding Legal Multifamily Dwelling Units' is an official document issued by the Building Commissioner that records a property's authorized use group, zoning classification, and number of permitted dwelling units at the time of issuance. A 'Qualified Multifamily Dwelling' generally covers buildings with 3 to 20 units, though properties that existed in that configuration before June 2, 1986 may qualify under different documentation standards. These definitions set the foundational vocabulary for how the rest of the article is interpreted and applied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers dealing with multifamily buildings in Marlborough should understand that CH. 420 § 420-1 defines the precise terms used throughout the certification process. A compliant operator typically ensures that records on file with the Building Commissioner accurately reflect the property's authorized use group, zoning classification, and unit count at the time any certificate is sought. Owners of buildings that were converted or created beyond a two-family dwelling before June 2, 1986 generally maintain written documentation sufficient to satisfy the Building Commissioner that the property was lawfully authorized to contain 3 to 20 units under the zoning ordinance then in effect.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in multifamily buildings in Marlborough may find it useful to understand that CH. 420 § 420-1 defines what qualifies as a legal multifamily dwelling and what information a Certificate Regarding Legal Multifamily Dwelling Units must contain. This certificate, issued by the Building Commissioner, reflects the officially authorized number of dwelling units at a property, which can be relevant when questions arise about whether a unit is legally recognized. Tenants who have concerns about the legal status of their unit may consider reviewing publicly available records at the Building Commissioner's office or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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