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Board reduces DBI penalty for Madrid Street homeowner after fire‑linked code violations
Summary
The Board reduced a Department of Building Inspection penalty for 178 Madrid Street (from DBI’s 9x penalty down to 2x) after hearing the owner’s hardship case and DBI’s account that illegal unit conversions were found following a fire response; permits have been issued to remediate the illegal units.
The Board of Appeals voted Jan. 11 to reduce a building‑penalty assessed for 178 Madrid Street after DBI found two illegal units during a response to a fire. The Board reduced the 9x penalty multiplier to 2x, citing mitigating circumstances including the owner’s financial hardship and the fact some illegal work likely predated the current owner.
DBI inspector Joe Duffy explained the notice of violation followed an emergency response; his field report described a single‑family dwelling converted into multiple units with unpermitted electrical and plumbing work, prompting safety concerns. "Where a single family dwelling has been converted into apartment units, we ask the 9 times penalty be kept in place because there are life‑safety concerns," Duffy said, explaining the original assessment. The 9x multiplier produced a DBI penalty figure near $3,583.98 on the record; the Board voted 4‑0 to reduce the penalty to the code‑allowed 2x amount in light of the owner’s financial circumstances and evidence that some unpermitted work predated the owner’s purchase.
DBI has issued permits to return the building to a single‑family configuration; the department will continue to inspect and verify abatement work. The Board’s reduction does not eliminate the remediation requirement; it reduces the monetary sanction associated with the violation.
