Somerville, Mass., Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. VI (2026) § 7-139
Appeals
Operative Text
(a) Within 30 days of the date of the office of strategic planning and community development’s written decision, an applicant may appeal an adverse decision. Appeals from the adverse decision shall be made in writing. (b) If an individual needs assistance in filing an appeal on an adverse decision, the zoning board of appeals will provide assistance to ensure that the appeals process is accessible. (c) All appeals shall contain a statement of the grounds for the appeal. (d) Nothing in this procedure shall preclude an aggrieved individual from seeking any other state or federal remedy available. ( Ord. No. 2011-09 , 10-13-2011 )
Under Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. VI § 7-139, any applicant who receives an adverse written decision from the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development has 30 days to file a written appeal, which must include a statement of the grounds for the appeal. The Zoning Board of Appeals is required to provide assistance to anyone who needs help navigating the appeals process. Importantly, this local appeals procedure does not limit or replace any state or federal remedies that an aggrieved individual may otherwise pursue.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to decisions under Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. VI § 7-139 should be aware that adverse decisions from the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development trigger a 30-day window for a written appeal. Compliant operators generally track decision dates carefully and ensure that any appeal submission clearly states the grounds being raised. Awareness of this timeline helps operators avoid inadvertently waiving their right to challenge an adverse outcome.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants or applicants who receive an adverse decision under Somerville Code of Ordinances ch. 7, art. VI § 7-139 have the right to appeal in writing within 30 days, and the Zoning Board of Appeals is obligated to provide assistance if help is needed with the filing process. The appeal must include a written statement explaining the grounds for challenging the decision. This provision also preserves the right to pursue any available state or federal remedies, and tenant-rights organizations can be a useful resource for understanding which avenues may be relevant to a given 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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