Code of Massachusetts Regulations
780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Chapter CHAPTER 51 - MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTIAL CODE
Appendix AJ - EXISTING BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES - ADOPT AS REVISED
Subsection AJ101.1 - General.
Revise and replace section AJ101.1 General as follows:
The purpose of APPENDIX J is to encourage the continued use or reuse of legally existing buildings and structures. The provisions of APPENDIX J are intended to permit work in existing buildings that is consistent with the purpose of 780 CMR 51.00: Massachusetts Residential Code. Compliance with these provisions shall be deemed to meet the requirements of 780 CMR 51.00: Massachusetts Residential Code.
Features of existing construction which do not meet the requirements of 780 CMR 51.00: Massachusetts Residential Code for new construction shall be presumed to have met the regulations, codes or laws in effect at the time of construction or alteration and, if so, shall be deemed to be existing nonconforming. Unless stated otherwise, nothing in APPENDIX J shall require the upgrading or replacement of any existing nonconforming feature or component of an existing building, provided the feature, component or system is in serviceable condition. Components or features of an existing building which, in the opinion of the building official, are dangerous, unsafe, damaged, significantly deteriorated or which otherwise present a threat to occupants or to public safety shall be remediated in accordance with 780 CMR 51.00: Massachusetts Residential Code.
Any new building system or portion thereof shall conform to 780 CMR 51.00: Massachusetts Residential Code for new construction to the fullest extent practicable. However, individual components of an existing building system may be repaired or replaced without requiring that system to comply fully with 780 CMR 51.00: Massachusetts Residential Code unless specifically required by APPENDIX J.
For compliance of work governed by other codes, including the specialized codes, see section R101.4.
