Cal. Civ. Code § 410.260
Means of Egress
Operative Text
(A) Every dwelling unit, and rooming unit shall have as many means of exit as will allow for
the safe passage of all people in accordance with 780 CMR: Massachusetts State Building Code.
(B) No person shall cause obstruction of any means of egress or passageway.
(C) In a single unit residence, the occupant shall maintain free from obstruction all means of
egress.
(D) In a multi-unit residence:
(1) The owner shall maintain free from obstruction every means of egress in common areas
used or intended for use by occupants of more than one dwelling unit, except as provided for
in 105 CMR 410.570(C)(2);
(2) The owner shall ensure every means of egress is maintained at all times in a safe,
operable condition. For all exterior stairways, fire escapes, egress balconies and bridges, the
owner shall ensure:
(a) They are maintained free of snow and ice;
(b) All corrodible structural parts thereof are painted or otherwise protected against rust
and corrosion;
(c) All wood structural members are treated to prevent rotting and decay; and
(d) All joints where these structural elements tie directly into the building's structural
system are sealed to prevent water from damaging or corroding the structural elements.
(3) The occupant shall maintain free from obstruction all means of egress within their
dwelling unit or rooming unit.
(4) The occupant is responsible for maintaining free of snow and ice, the means of egress
under their exclusive use and control, provided there is a written rental agreement that clearly
identifies the occupant's responsibility.Section 410.260 of 105 Mass. Code Regs. 410.000 establishes that every dwelling and rooming unit must have sufficient exits to allow safe evacuation, consistent with the Massachusetts State Building Code. No one may block any means of egress or passageway. Responsibility for keeping exits clear is divided based on the type of residence and the area in question — common areas fall to the owner in multi-unit buildings, while occupants are responsible for exits within their own units. Certain outdoor structural elements like fire escapes and exterior stairways must also be kept structurally sound, protected from corrosion, rot, and water damage, and cleared of snow and ice.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 105 CMR 410.260, owners of multi-unit residences are responsible for keeping all common-area egress paths unobstructed and in safe, operable condition at all times. This includes maintaining exterior stairways, fire escapes, egress balconies, and bridges by clearing snow and ice, protecting metal components against rust, treating wood members against rot, and sealing structural joints against water intrusion. Compliant operators also ensure that any transfer of snow-and-ice clearing responsibility to an occupant for areas under that occupant's exclusive control is clearly documented in a written rental agreement, as required by section 410.260(D)(4).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 410.260 of 105 Mass. Code Regs. 410.000 gives occupants the right to exits that are safe, sufficient in number, and unobstructed. In a multi-unit building, tenants are generally responsible for keeping egress paths within their own unit clear, while the owner bears responsibility for common-area exits. If a landlord fails to maintain required egress conditions — such as leaving a fire escape in disrepair or blocking a hallway — tenants may consider filing a complaint with their local board of health, which enforces the Massachusetts Sanitary Code, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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