Cal. Civ. Code § 410.640
Time Frames for Correction of Violations
Operative Text
(A) If an inspection or examination as provided for in 105 CMR 400.100 and/or 105 CMR
410.600 reveals that a residence does not comply with the provisions of 105 CMR 410.000, the
board of health or its designated agent shall:
(1) Within 12 hours after the inspection, order the owner or occupant to make a good faith
effort to correct within 24 hours of service any of the violations cited in 105 CMR
410.630(A).
(2) Within seven calendar days after the inspection, order the owner or occupant to correct,
within 30 calendar days of service, any violations not listed in 105 CMR 410.630(A).
(B) No order shall exceed 30 calendar days for the correction of violations, nor shall the time
frames listed in the original order be extended beyond the original date, unless a hearing, in
accordance with 105 CMR 410.800 through 105 CMR 410.860, has been conducted.Section 410.640 of the Massachusetts Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation establishes mandatory timelines that local boards of health must follow after finding housing code violations. For the most serious violations (those listed in § 410.630(A)), an order must be issued within 12 hours of inspection, requiring correction within 24 hours of service. For all other violations, an order must be issued within seven calendar days, with a 30-day correction window — and that deadline cannot be extended without a formal hearing under §§ 410.800–410.860.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 410.640, property owners and managers who receive a board of health correction order are bound by strict, non-negotiable deadlines: 24 hours for the most serious violations and up to 30 calendar days for others. Compliant operators typically maintain relationships with licensed contractors who can respond quickly to emergency conditions and document all remediation efforts with dated records. If more time is genuinely needed, the only recognized path under § 410.640(B) is to pursue a formal hearing before the deadline passes — extensions are not granted informally.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 410.640 gives tenants the assurance that once a board of health inspection uncovers violations, the local board is legally required to act quickly — issuing orders within hours or days and setting firm correction deadlines. Tenants can contact their local board of health to request an inspection or to follow up on whether a correction order has been issued and complied with. If deadlines under § 410.640 are not being met, tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help residents understand what options may be available, including how a violation might be raised in housing court proceedings.
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.
Effective Timeline
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