Pittsfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 3half § 3 1/2-3
Registration of non-owner-occupied, vacant, and foreclosure residential properties (Pittsfield 1/2 Residential Properties, Regulation and Maintenance of)
Operative Text
[ Ord. No. 1047 , § I, 10-26-2010 ; Ord. No. 1062 , 7-10-2012 ] A. Effective January 1, 2011, all owners shall register non-owner-occupied residential properties, vacant residential properties, and properties in foreclosure with the Director of Public Health on forms provided by the Director of Public Health. All registrations shall state the owner's and owner's representative's (if applicable) phone number and mailing address as required by MGL c. 59, § 57D ; MGL c. 156D , § 5.02; and 950 CMR 113.20 . B. All property registrations shall expire on the last day of the calendar year in which it was filed. A registration fee shall be as stated in Chapter 24 , Schedule of Fees, of this Code and shall accompany the annual registration form or forms. [ Ord. No. 1332 , 11-13-2025 ] C. Mortgagees are required to register with the Health Department on forms provided by the Director of Public Health within 30 days of the initiation of foreclosure on any residential property. D. If a property's ownership changes, becomes occupied, becomes owner-occupied, or is no longer subjected to foreclosure, the owner shall provide proof of such to the Director of Public Health, prior to removal from the registration requirement or modification of the registration certifications. E. If a Code Enforcement Officer determines that the status of a non-owner-occupied property has changed since registration or that a residential property is vacant and/or that foreclosure proceedings have been initiated, the owner shall be notified that registration must be received within 14 days of the Code Enforcement Officer's citation of such change in status. F. If a Code Enforcement Officer determines that foreclosure proceedings have been initiated since registration, the owner and mortgagee shall be notified that an updated registration must be received with 30 days of the Code Enforcement Officer's citation of such change in status.
Pittsfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 3½ § 3½-3 establishes a registration system for non-owner-occupied, vacant, and foreclosure-related residential properties in Pittsfield. Effective January 1, 2011, property owners and mortgagees must file annual registrations with the Director of Public Health, including contact information, and pay the applicable fee. Registrations expire at year-end, and when a property's status changes—such as a change in ownership, occupancy, or foreclosure status—the owner must notify the Director of Public Health and may need to update or remove the registration accordingly.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Pittsfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 3½ § 3½-3, compliant property owners generally maintain current annual registrations with the Director of Public Health for each non-owner-occupied, vacant, or foreclosure-affected residential property they hold. Operators typically keep their contact information and representative details up to date on the registration forms, pay the required fee as listed in Chapter 24's Schedule of Fees, and respond promptly when a Code Enforcement Officer issues a citation noting a change in property status—registration updates are generally due within 14 days of such a citation. When a property's status changes (e.g., it becomes owner-occupied or exits foreclosure), owners generally provide documentation to the Director of Public Health before seeking removal from or modification of the registration requirement.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Pittsfield, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 3½ § 3½-3 requires that landlords of non-owner-occupied residential properties register annually with the Director of Public Health, which means tenants can inquire with the Pittsfield Health Department to verify whether their rental property is properly registered. If a property appears to be unregistered or if a landlord has failed to update registration after a change in status, tenants may raise this as a potential code violation with the city's Code Enforcement Office. Tenant-rights organizations in Massachusetts can help residents understand how registration requirements intersect with other housing protections and what options may be available when a landlord is out of compliance.
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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