Housing Inspection Department publications

A Housing Inspection Department was created in the City of Boston by Chapter 1 of the Ordinances of 1965. Minimum standards of fitness for human habitation were adopted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health effective 1 October 1960. The City of Boston created the Housing Inspection Department to serve as a clearinghouse for all complaints of violations relating to housing conditions. Chapter 19 of the Ordinances of 1981 merged the Building Department and Housing Inspection Department and formed the Inspectional Services Department. The Housing Inspection Division of the Inspectional Services Department enforces the State Sanitary Code as it pertains to residential dwellings, both public and private and also enforces city ordinances relating to housing conditions.