The State Sanitary Code is a set of regulations developed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to protect the health, safety and well being of occupants of any dwelling. In the City of Boston the Housing Division of the Inspectional Services Department enforces these regulations.

The following is a summarized list of the most commonly violated requirements, room by room, for a quick reference. The following is not a complete list of the minimum standards. A copy of the full State Sanitary Code can be found by clicking here. (PDF)

KITCHENS

• Ample space for food preparation and storage. Surfaces must be smooth, non-porous and easily cleanable.
• A sink and a stove/oven. Refrigerators are not required but you must provide the facilities (outlet and space) for a refrigerator. If optional equipment (i.e. dishwasher, microwave) is provided, the property owner is responsible for maintaining it in good working order.
• An electrical light fixture and two electrical outlets.
• For kitchens over 70-sq. ft., natural lighting (windows) must be provided to a size equal to 8% of the entire floor area.
• At least 4% of the floor area must be represented in openable window area for adequate ventilation.

BATHROOM

• Toilet with seat, bathtub or shower and a washbasin in a room not used for living, cooking, eating or sleeping purposes. If the washbasin cannot be installed in the room, it may be hung adjacent to the bathroom. The kitchen sink does not fulfill this requirement.
• One electric light fixture.
• Floor must be smooth, non-absorbent, non-corrosive and easily cleanable.
• Walls must be smooth, non-corrosive, easily cleanable and watertight to a height of 48 inches from the floor and 6 ft. in a shower stall or built in bathtub with installed showerheads.
• A door capable of being closed for privacy.
• Either a window openable to 4% of the floor area or a mechanical ventilation system that provides 5 air changes/hour. Mechanical ventilation systems must have an easily accessible shut-off switch or volume control.
• Fixtures properly connected to water distribution and sanitary sewerage systems. Water must be provided at sufficient pressure and temperature. Hot water must be provided at a temperature range of 110-130 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Bathroom must be accessible from within the building and not require passing through another unit.

HABITABLE ROOMS

• Every dwelling unit must provide 150-sq. ft. of total habitable space for the first occupant and 100-sq. ft. for each additional occupant. Total habitable space is the sum of the floor area of the kitchen, living room, dining area and all bedrooms. If the floor to ceiling height is less than 5ft, that floor area less than 5 ft. is not included in the total habitable space.
• Either one electrical fixture and a wall outlet or two separate wall-type electrical outlets practically located at least ten feet apart.
• Natural lighting (windows) equal to 8% of the entire floor area. In addition, 4% of the floor area must be represented in openable window space.
• Screens are required on all windows intended for occupants use. Screening season is April 1 through October 30^th. Screens are only required on windows on the fourth floor and down.
• The owner shall provide heat (unless tenant is required) at a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit from 7AM to 11PM. From 11PM to 7 AM, temperature in unit may not drop below 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Heating season starts September 15 and runs through June 15.
• Working smoke detectors in accordance with the State Board of Fire Prevention.

GENERAL

• Every dwelling and dwelling unit must be secured against unlawful entry. Every window opening to the exterior must be secured against unlawful entry. Locking devices shall be designed and installed to avoid entrapment within the building.
• The tenant is responsible for paying utilities bills (gas, electric or oil) only if there is a written letting agreement stating so and if the utility used only services the occupants unit. In the case of a dwelling with three units or less, common area lights (outside the dwelling unit door, illumination in the basement or entry porch) may be on tenants meter when all tenants are notified and control for the fixture is within the paying tenants unit.
• A property owner may not shut-off or remove any service, utility, facility or equipment required under the Code except for temporary periods necessary for repairs or alterations.
• All structural elements (floors, walls, ceilings, windows, doors, porches, stairs etc.) are properly installed, in good-repair, fit for use intended, weather-tight.
• The owner is responsible for the proper installation and maintenance of all required and optional plumbing, gasfitting, heating and electrical facilities and equipment including, but not limited to, all sinks, pipes, wiring, toilets, furnaces, light fixtures, drains, vents, stoves, clothes washers and dryers etc.
• Every dwelling unit must provide as many means of egress to allow for the safe passage of all occupants in accordance with the State Building Code. No one shall obstruct a means of egress.
• The owner is responsible for the extermination of pests in buildings containing two or more units. Extermination includes sealing all means of entry, eliminating any harborage areas and food sources and cleaning and disinfecting all effected areas.
• All doors that open directly to the exterior from within a dwelling unit must be equipped with tight fitting, self-closing screen doors, unless the screen slides side to side.
• The occupant of any dwelling unit is responsible for maintaining their unit in a clean and sanitary manner.

COMMON AREAS

• Every dwelling is required to affix a number corresponding to the address of the building on the structure and large enough to be visible from the street.
• The property owner is responsible for maintaining the egress in a safe condition (i.e. free of rust or corrosion, removal of snow and ice). If the egress services only one unit and there is a written letting agreement, the tenant of that unit maybe held responsible for the removal of ice and snow on the egress.
• Main entry doors servicing more than four units must be self-closing and locking with an electronically operated striker mechanism and associated equipment.
• Property owner provides working light bulbs for all required fixtures in common areas.
• If an owner does not live on the premises a sign must be posted on or inside the dwelling, adjacent to the mailboxes, stating the owner's name, address and telephone number.
• Working smoke detectors in accordance with the State Board of Fire Prevention.
• A safe handrail must be provided for every stairway used by occupants. Every porch, balcony, landing, mezzanine or similar structure, that is more than 30 inches from the ground, must be enclosed by a wall or guardrail that is at least 36 inches in height.
• Garbage and rubbish must be stored in receptacles with tight fitting lids constructed of durable material and lined with plastic bags. In the case of a building containing three or more units, the owner is responsible for providing these barrels and putting them at the curb for collection. Any other dwelling (single-family or two-family) the occupants are responsible for providing and placing barrels at the curb for collection.
• The owner of any parcel of land is responsible for maintaining that land in a clean and sanitary manner. A property owner is responsible for maintaining the common areas in a clean and sanitary manner.