Code of Massachusetts Regulations
105 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Title 105 CMR 410.000 - Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation, State Sanitary Code, Chapter II
Section 410.300 - Electricity Supply and Illumination

Universal Citation: 105 MA Code of Regs 105.410

Current through Register 1518, March 29, 2024

The owner of a residence shall provide the following for electrical supply and illumination:

(A) Habitable rooms other than a kitchen:

(1) Two separate wall-type receptacle outlets in accessible locations, on different walls, and at least ten feet apart where practical; or

(2) One outlet and one electric light fixture.

(B) Kitchen:

(1) One electric light fixture; and

(2) Two wall-type receptacle outlets, installed in accessible locations in addition to the refrigerator with freezer and conventional cooktop and oven outlets.

(C) Room containing a toilet, bathtub, or shower: One electric light fixture.

(D) Spaces other than habitable rooms, kitchens, or rooms containing a toilet, bathtub, or shower:

(1) Electric light switches or sensors, and light fixtures in good working order if light from an adjacent area does not provide sufficient illumination for the safe and reasonable use of the following spaces:
(a) Laundry;

(b) Pantry;

(c) Foyer;

(d) Hallway;

(e) Stairway;

(f) Closet;

(g) Storage place; and

(h) Cellar;

(2) Electric light switches or sensors, and light fixtures in good working order shall be installed in the following spaces:
(a) Porch;

(b) Deck;

(c) Passageway;

(d) Exterior stairway; and

(e) Fire escape.

(3) In residences containing more than one dwelling unit or rooming unit, light fixtures in good working order that are motion-sensor operated, on timers, or always on to ensure sufficient illumination for the safe and reasonable use of every shared:
(a) Foyer;

(b) Hallway;

(c) Stairway;

(d) Porch;

(e) Deck;

(f) Passageway;

(g) Exterior stairway; and

(h) Fire escape.

(E) Lightbulbs in all required light fixtures in common areas.

(F) Payment of Electrical Service in Residences Containing Two or Three Dwelling Units. Light fixtures used to illuminate a common hallway, passageway, foyer and/or stairway may be wired to the electric service serving an adjacent dwelling unit, provided that if the occupant of such dwelling unit is responsible for paying for the electric service to such dwelling unit:

(1) A written rental agreement shall state the occupant is responsible for paying for light in the common hallway, passageway, foyer, and/or stairway; and

(2) Any requirement for an occupant to pay for lights in common areas shall begin only upon commencement of a new tenancy.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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