By Bob Katzen
Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that would allow the city of Boston to raise from the current $300 to up to $2,000, the fines imposed on property owners, landlords and businesses that violate the city’s sanitary code. The bill also allows Boston to adjust the maximum fine for inflation every five years.
Supporters said that the city’s fine limit has not been raised since 1989. They said that raising fines will help crack down on repeat offenders who are not deterred by the small current $300 fee.
Rep. Kevin Honan (D-Boston), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill to comment on the bill being passed and signed into law.