Guidelines for Code Enforcement Fines, MGL 40U - Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Green Ticket Law?
- I have question(s) regarding a ticket/notice I received. Who should I call?
- How can I pay my ticket?
- Can I appeal my ticket?
- What is a written appeal?
- What happens if I fail to pay the ticket?
On May 14, 2010, Chapter 40U of the Massachusetts General Laws , referred to as the "Green Ticket Law", went into effect. The City had accepted its provisions upon passage by the General Court 90 days before. Chapter 40U pertains to the collection of unpaid municipal fines, "regulating the housing, sanitary or snow and ice removal requirement" and establishes penalties and collection mechanisms for unpaid fines. The Green Ticket Law amended the appeal process for such fines and allows the City to transfer fines and penalties to the property tax bill. Tickets must now be appealed first to the City of Boston instead of Boston Housing Court. The fine can then be appealed to Boston Housing Court.
Inquiries regarding ticket information or appeal hearings are to be made to the Code Enforcement Division at 617-635-4896
Check or Money Order Payments (including ticket # or violation address) can be mailed to:
Treasury Department
City of Boston
P.O. Box 9715
Boston, MA 02114
Pay in person with cash, check or money order at Boston City Hall:
M-38
Boston City Hall
1 City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA 02201
Directions »
Pay in person with cash, check, debit or credit at the Inspectional Services Department (please have Hansen case # available):
5th Floor, ISD
1010 Massachusetts Ave
Boston, MA 02118
Directions »
A person who received a Code Enforcement citation may make a written request for a hearing or submit a written appeal within 21 days of the issuance of a citation to the Boston Inspectional Services Department.
CEP Hearing Officer, ISD
1010 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
A person may elect to submit a written appeal and provide sufficient reason or information and include any documentation, pictures, witness statement or pictures to dispute the validity of the citation. The Hearing officer will review the appeals and provide a written response utilizing the disposition form. The written appeals will be treated similar to the disposition process of the administrative process and the appellant will be provided reason as to why the appeal was dismissed or upheld. The disposition form will be mailed back to the appellant who will have the same rights to appeal within 10 days to Boston Housing Court for upheld violations.
Upheld Citations:
Citations that were upheld by the hearing officer will have an outstanding balance of the ticket amount. Payment is due within 21 days. Failure to pay within 21 days will result in an additional $10 processing fee.
Where citations are not paid and a hearing has not been requested, the Treasury Department will send a dunning notice from the Treasury Department after 21 days. A $10 processing fee will be added to each notice. If after 30 days and payment is still not received, a further $10 penalty fee is added. The fine can now be transferred to the property tax bill.
If the appellant upon receipt of the dunning notice, swears under pains and penalty of perjury, that the appellant did not receive the notice of violation, he or she may request a hearing within 14 days. This request will be forwarded to the CEP staff for scheduling. When a hearing is scheduled, the appellant will not be charged a processing or penalty fee until after a hearing is held and then only if the appeal is denied.
If the person fails to appeal a ticket within the given time frame, the person is then required to pay the ticket and the fine can be transferred to the property tax bill.
