Natick, Mass., Bd. of Health Reg. ch. XI (2002) § 1
DEFINITIONS
Operative Text
1.1 DWELLING means a building or structure used in whole or
in part for human habitation, including all dormitories,
dwelling units and lodging units therein and the premises
thereof.
1.2 DWELLING UNIT means any room or group of rooms
located within a dwelling and forming a single habitable unit
with facilities which are used or intended to be used for living,
sleeping, cooking and eating.
1.3 GARBAGE means the animal and vegetable or other organic
waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and
consumption of food.
1.4 HABITABLE ROOM means a room or enclosed floor space
used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking, or
eating purposes, excluding bathrooms, water closet
compartments, laundries, pantries, foyers, or communicating
corridors, closets and storage spaces.
1.5 INFESTATION means the presence, within or around a
dwelling of any insects, rodents, or other pests.
1.6 LODGING HOUSE means any dwelling, or that part of any
dwelling containing one or more lodging units, in which space
is let by the owner or operator to five or more persons who are
not within the second degree of kinship.
1.7 LODGING UNIT means a rented room or group or rooms,
containing no cooking facilities, used for living purposes by a
separate family or group of persons living together or by a
person living alone, within a dwelling.
1.8 OCCUPANT means any person living, sleeping or cooking in
a dwelling.
1.9 ORDINARY MINIMUM WINTER CONDITIONS means
15 degree Fahrenheit above the lowest temperature recorded
for the city or town during the preceding ten year period.
1.10 OWNER means any person who, alone or jointly or severally
with others:(a) Shall have legal title to any dwelling or
dwelling unit, with or without accompanying actual possession
thereof; or (b) Shall have charge,care, or control of any
dwelling or dwelling unit, as owner or agent of the owner, or
as operator, executor, executrix, administrator, administratrix,
trustee, or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any such
person thus representing the actual owner shall be bound to
comply with the provisions of these minimum standards to the
same extent as if he were the owner.
1.11 PLUMBING means and includes all of the following supplied
facilities and equipment; gas pipes, gas-burning equipment,
water pipes, garbage disposal units, waste pipes, water closets,
sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories bathtubs, shower baths,
installed clothes-washing machines, catch basins, drains, vents,
and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all
connections to water, sewer, or gas lines.
1.12 RUBBISH means combustible and noncombustible waste
material, except garbage; and the term shall include such
material as the residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke,
and other combustible material, paper, rags, cartons, boxes,
wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings,
grass clippings, tin cans, metals, mineral matter, glass
crockery, and dust.
1.13 TEMPORARY HOUSING means any tent, mobile dwelling
place or other structure used for human habitation which is
located on a lot or tract of land for less than 30 consecutive
days.
1.14 MEANING OF CERTAIN WORDS. Whenever the words,
"dwelling, "dwelling unit", "lodging house", "lodging unit,"
"premises", are used in these minimum standards, they shall be
construed as though they were followed by the words "or any
part thereof."Chapter XI, Section 1 of the Natick Board of Health Regulation on Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the entire regulatory framework. Terms such as 'dwelling,' 'dwelling unit,' 'lodging unit,' 'owner,' and 'infestation' are given precise meanings so that the standards apply consistently across different types of residential arrangements. Notably, the definition of 'owner' extends to agents, trustees, and others who exercise control over a property, not just those holding legal title, and Section 1.14 clarifies that references to covered property types apply to any part of those structures as well.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Natick should be aware that Chapter XI, Section 1.10 defines 'owner' broadly to include anyone with charge, care, or control of a dwelling — meaning agents and property managers are bound by these minimum standards to the same degree as the titleholder. Understanding the precise definitions in Sections 1.1 through 1.14 is foundational to complying with the rest of the regulation, since terms like 'habitable room,' 'plumbing,' and 'infestation' carry specific meanings that may differ from everyday usage. Operators of lodging houses, as defined in Section 1.6, should pay particular attention to how their arrangements are classified, as that classification determines which standards apply.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Natick dwellings benefit from knowing that the definitions in Chapter XI, Section 1 set the scope of who and what is covered by the town's minimum habitability standards. Because Section 1.10 defines 'owner' to include agents and property managers — not just titleholders — tenants generally have recourse against whoever is actually managing their building, not only the person listed on a deed. Tenants who believe conditions in their home fall below the standards referenced throughout Chapter XI may consider contacting the Natick Board of Health or a local tenant-rights organization to understand how these definitions apply to their situation.
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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