Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 4 of 9 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. OSHA state plan for public employers only; private employers under federal OSHA.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | 527 CMR 1.00 Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, based on NFPA 1 (2021 edition) with Massachusetts amendments (Mass. Register #1495, effective May 12, 2023; 2021 edition first effective Dec 9, 2022)Statewide fire code adopted by the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations (BFPR); the posted 527 CMR 1.00 text adopts NFPA 1 (2021) under Mass. Register #1495. Companion electrical code 527 CMR 12.00 adopts the 2026 NEC for permits granted after Apr 24, 2026. Proposed amendments to 527 CMR 1.00 are in promulgation; no effective date published. SourceReported, in verification | Head of the local fire department or the State Fire Marshal (Department of Fire Services) and their designees, as AHJ; Board of Fire Prevention Regulations adopts | Draft review Oct 1, 2026BFPR voted Oct 15, 2026 to begin the promulgation process for proposed amendments to 527 CMR 1.00 (state fire code page, read Nov 11, 2026); the page says the proposed text is not final. No hearing date, comment period, Mass. Register publication or effective date posted; confirm with the local fire department. |
| Building | 780 CMR Massachusetts State Building Code, 10th edition, based on 2021 IBC/IRC/IEBC/IMC/IECC/ISPSC with extensive Massachusetts amendments, effective Oct 11, 2024Concurrency with the 9th edition ended Jun 30, 2025. Base energy code is 2021 IECC (780 CMR Ch. 13/11R); DOER opt-in Stretch and Specialized codes (225 CMR 22/23) apply where adopted. DOER proposed 2026 Stretch/Specialized revisions (hearing Jun 16, 2026; comments closed Jun 24, 2026); not adopted, no effective date. BBRS 11th-edition work continues. SourceReported, in verification | Local inspector of buildings/building commissioner in each city and town (MGL c.143 s.3); State Building Inspector for Commonwealth-owned buildings (780 CMR 104.1); BBRS promulgates | Rulemaking pendingProposed 2026 Stretch/Specialized code revisions (225 CMR 22/23) await final adoption; no effective date posted (DOER energy-code page read Oct 21, 2026). BBRS Oct 13, 2026 notice listed an 11th-edition timeline vote; outcome not posted. BBRS met Nov 10, 2026 (outcome not posted); the 10th-edition handbook page (read Nov 10, 2026) lists no 11th-edition timeline |
| Elevators | 524 CMR (effective Jun 1, 2018): ch. 35 adopts ASME A17.1-2013 and ch. 38 adopts ASME A18.1-2014, each with Massachusetts modifications; no ASME A17.3 adoption foundElevators need inspection and safety tests at least yearly; limited-use units (e.g., wheelchair lifts, dumbwaiters) every 2 years; full-load safety test every fifth periodic inspection. Existing units follow the 524 CMR version in force when permitted. SourceChecked on the source | Board of Elevator Regulations and Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Division of Occupational Licensure); state inspectors witness tests by licensed mechanics; exclusive statewide enforcement under MGL c.143 | Rulemaking pending524 CMR 35 (Secretary of the Commonwealth copy read Nov 9, 2026) still adopts ASME A17.1-2013 with Massachusetts modifications. The Board of Elevator Regulations Oct 27, 2026 agenda lists variances only and no 524 CMR amendment; no proposed text or effective date published after the Oct 7, 2026 hearing notice |
| Boilers | MGL c.146 + 522 CMR (Board of Boiler Rules, within DFS); heating-boiler rules 522 CMR 4.00 (Mass. Register #1539, Jan 17, 2025) adopt 2021 ASME Section IVHeating boilers over 3 hp: external inspection yearly; internal yearly (steam) or every 3 years (hot water) where manholes/handholes exist; certificate posted near the boiler and pulled if unsafe. Exempt: private residences, units of 3 hp or less, low-pressure units under 4 sq ft grate, federal and agricultural boilers (522 CMR 4.05). SourceReported, in verification | Department of Fire Services Boiler & Pressure Vessel program (district engineering inspectors) and authorized in-service/insurance inspectors; Board of Boiler Rules (within DFS) writes 522 CMR | Rulemaking pending522 CMR 4.00 (Mass. Register #1539, Jan 17, 2025; read Oct 27, 2026): heating boilers inspected externally yearly; internal inspection yearly (steam) or every three years (hot water). Board of Boiler Rules Oct 1, 2026 agenda lists a '522 CMR revision process' item; no proposed text, hearing or date published |
| Pools | 105 CMR 435.000 State Sanitary Code Chapter V, Minimum Standards for Swimming Pools (DPH, under MGL c.111 s.127A); mass.gov lists effective date Jul 9, 2004Covers public and semi-public pools (hotel, motel, apartment house, condominium, club) and special-purpose pools including spas, hot tubs and whirlpools; residential pools excluded. Local boards of health approve plans, inspect and issue permits of no more than 12 months; renewal due 15 days before expiry. Pool supervisor must hold a recognized operator certification (435.17). SourceReported, in verification | Local boards of health permit and inspect; Massachusetts Department of Public Health writes the rule | In forceIn force; no amendment or proposed change posted on the DPH regulation page (dated Jul 9, 2004; re-read Oct 27, 2026) |
| Lodging | Local innholder license (MGL c.140 s.2) + annual Certificate of Inspection for R-1 hotels/motels (780 CMR 110.7, Table 110) + automatic smoke/heat detection in hotels (MGL c.148 s.26C)Hotels, lodging houses and apartment buildings of six or more units need automatic smoke or heat detectors under MGL c.148 s.26C; the local fire chief enforces and the original phase-in deadlines have expired. 780 CMR 10th-edition Table 110 caps the R-1 hotel/motel Certificate of Inspection at one year. Innholder licenses are issued by local licensing authorities (c.140 s.2). SourceReported, in verification | City/town licensing authorities (innholder license); local building official (Certificate of Inspection); head of the local fire department (s.26C) | In forceIn force; no pending statewide lodging rule confirmed on the primary pages (hotel training/signage bill status could not be confirmed on the primary page) |
| Workplace | Federal OSHA for private employers; Massachusetts State Plan (DLS Workplace Safety and Health Program for Public Employees) covers state and local government workers onlyThe Massachusetts State Plan covers state and local government workers only; federal workers and private-sector employers fall under federal OSHA. Initial approval was Aug 18, 2022 (87 FR 50766). Federal HazCom 2024 employer dates are Nov 20, 2026 (substances) and May 19, 2028 (mixtures). SourceChecked on the source | U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA (private sector); Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards (public sector only) | HazCom Nov 20, 2026HazCom employer compliance Nov 20, 2026 (substances) |
| Retrofit | MGL c.148 s.26A 1/2: buildings over 70 ft built before Jan 1, 1975 must be sprinklered; s.26G 1/2: existing nightclubs, dance halls and bars with public assembly capacity of 100+ need sprinklersHigh-rise schedule: one-third by Mar 30, 1991, two-thirds by Mar 30, 1994, whole building by Mar 30, 1998; extensions via the appeals board. Pre-1975 buildings submitted under c.183A, and libraries, houses of worship and hospital patient rooms, are exempt. Nightclub-type venues must add sprinklers within 1 year of a capacity citation. SourceChecked on the source | Head of the local fire department enforces; appeals to the Fire Safety Commission within 45 days | In forceDeadlines passed (Mar 30, 1998). House bill H.2586 (194th) to remove the pre-1975 condominium exemption, with 2028-2035 phases, was sent to a study order Mar 19, 2026; not law |
| Environmental | MassDEP state layer over federal EPA rules: UST registration, certified operators and 3-year compliance certification (310 CMR 80.00); emergency engine/turbine and 10-40 MMBtu/hr boiler compliance certifications instead of air plan approval (310 CMR 7.26); asbestos and demolition notices (310 CMR 7.15, AQ 04/AQ 06); sewage-discharge public notice (314 CMR 16.00); cross-connection control and backflow testing (310 CMR 22.22)UST owners register, keep certified A/B/C operators, and file third-party inspections and self-certifications every 3 years. Emergency engines 37 kW+ file a certification within 60 days of start-up; boilers 10-40 MMBtu/hr certify before install. Asbestos/demolition notices need 10 working days. Sewer permittees post SSO/CSO notices within 2 hours. Backflow testing by certified testers; no statewide grease or lift-station rule read. SourceChecked on the source | Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for tanks, air, asbestos, sewage notification and drinking-water cross-connection; Department of Labor Standards (asbestos project notice); local boards of health and public water systems; U.S. EPA for the federal baseline (40 CFR 112, 370, 84, 63 ZZZZ, 61 M, 280) | Rulemaking pendingFederal: HFC leak-repair rule in force since Jan 1, 2026; Tier II filing Mar 1, 2027; automatic leak detection for existing 1,500 lb+ commercial refrigeration by Jan 1, 2027. State: no pending MassDEP change read (310 CMR 7.15 last amended Jul 2019; 310 CMR 80.00 amended Oct 2021) |
What our record said before and after each change, with the date and the official source. A change to the record is not by itself a change in the law: an edition, a date or a source may have been corrected or made more precise. Confirm the current text with the authority.
527 CMR 1.00 Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, based on NFPA 1 (2021 edition) with Massachusetts amendments (Mass. Register #1495, effective May 12, 2023; 2021 edition first effective Dec 9, 2022). Statewide fire code adopted by the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations (BFPR); the posted 527 CMR 1.00 text adopts NFPA 1 (2021) under Mass. Register #1495. Companion electrical code 527 CMR 12.00 adopts the 2026 NEC for permits granted after Apr 24, 2026. Proposed amendments to 527 CMR 1.00 are in promulgation; no effective date published. Enforced by: Head of the local fire department or the State Fire Marshal (Department of Fire Services) and their designees, as AHJ; Board of Fire Prevention Regulations adopts.
780 CMR Massachusetts State Building Code, 10th edition, based on 2021 IBC/IRC/IEBC/IMC/IECC/ISPSC with extensive Massachusetts amendments, effective Oct 11, 2024. Concurrency with the 9th edition ended Jun 30, 2025. Base energy code is 2021 IECC (780 CMR Ch. 13/11R); DOER opt-in Stretch and Specialized codes (225 CMR 22/23) apply where adopted. DOER proposed 2026 Stretch/Specialized revisions (hearing Jun 16, 2026; comments closed Jun 24, 2026); not adopted, no effective date. BBRS 11th-edition work continues. Enforced by: Local inspector of buildings/building commissioner in each city and town (MGL c.143 s.3); State Building Inspector for Commonwealth-owned buildings (780 CMR 104.1); BBRS promulgates.
Elevators: Board of Elevator Regulations and Office of Public Safety and Inspections (Division of Occupational Licensure); state inspectors witness tests by licensed mechanics; exclusive statewide enforcement under MGL c.143 (524 CMR (effective Jun 1, 2018): ch. 35 adopts ASME A17.1-2013 and ch. 38 adopts ASME A18.1-2014, each with Massachusetts modifications; no ASME A17.3 adoption found). Boilers: Department of Fire Services Boiler & Pressure Vessel program (district engineering inspectors) and authorized in-service/insurance inspectors; Board of Boiler Rules (within DFS) writes 522 CMR (MGL c.146 + 522 CMR (Board of Boiler Rules, within DFS); heating-boiler rules 522 CMR 4.00 (Mass. Register #1539, Jan 17, 2025) adopt 2021 ASME Section IV).
Massachusetts runs an OSHA-approved state plan that covers state and local government employers only (Massachusetts State Plan). Private employers, including hotels and commercial buildings, answer to federal OSHA.
Fire: Draft review Oct 1, 2026 (BFPR voted Oct 15, 2026 to begin the promulgation process for proposed amendments to 527 CMR 1.00 (state fire code page, read Nov 11, 2026); the page says the p); Building: Rulemaking pending (Proposed 2026 Stretch/Specialized code revisions (225 CMR 22/23) await final adoption; no effective date posted (DOER energy-code page read Oct 21, 2026). BBRS); Elevators: Rulemaking pending (524 CMR 35 (Secretary of the Commonwealth copy read Nov 9, 2026) still adopts ASME A17.1-2013 with Massachusetts modifications. The Board of Elevator Regulation); Nov 20, 2026: OSHA Hazard Communication (2024 update, dates extended four months): employers must update workplace labeling, HazCom program and training for substances; Jan 1, 2027: Automatic leak detection on existing 1,500 lb+ HFC commercial/industrial refrigeration installed Jan 1, 2017 to Dec 31, 2025.
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