105 CMR 410.300
Electricity Supply and Illumination
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.