Woburn, Mass., Municipal Code ch. 5 pt. X (2025) § 5-60
Certification by fire chief
Operative Text
No such license shall be granted or renewed until the chief of the fire department
has certified in writing that the building has sufficient means of escape in cases of
fire and that suitable appliances are supplied for extinguishing fires and for giving an
alarm to the inmates in case of fire and the chief of the fire department may from
time to time require such alterations to be made, or additional appliances to be
provided as may in his judgment be necessary for the protection of life and property
in case of fire. (Prior Ch. 20 sec. 4).Under Woburn Municipal Code ch. 5 pt. X § 5-60, a lodging house license cannot be issued or renewed unless the fire chief has provided written certification that the building offers adequate escape routes and is equipped with fire-extinguishing and alarm systems for occupants. Beyond the initial certification, the fire chief retains ongoing authority to order modifications or additional fire-safety equipment whenever deemed necessary to protect lives and property. This provision ties the continued legal operation of a lodging house directly to fire department oversight.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of lodging houses in Woburn should be aware that § 5-60 makes fire chief certification a prerequisite for both obtaining and renewing a lodging house license. A compliant operator generally maintains documented proof of written fire department certification, ensures that escape routes, extinguishing equipment, and alarm systems remain in working order, and promptly addresses any alterations or additional appliances the fire chief may require between renewal cycles. Keeping records of all fire department correspondence and completed upgrades supports ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 5-60 of Woburn's lodging house regulations establishes that any building lawfully operating as a licensed lodging house must have passed fire department scrutiny for escape routes, fire-extinguishing equipment, and occupant alarm systems. Tenants who have concerns about the adequacy of fire safety features in their lodging house may consider contacting the Woburn Fire Department or the local licensing authority to inquire whether the required certification under § 5-60 is current. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Massachusetts lodging house law can help residents understand what options are generally available when fire safety standards may not be met.
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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