Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 151-62
Interior structure
Operative Text
A. General. The interior of a structure and equipment therein shall be maintained in good repair, structurally sound and in a sanitary condition. Every occupant shall keep that part of the structure which such occupant occupies or controls in a clean and sanitary condition. Every owner of a structure containing a rooming house, a hotel, a dormitory, two or more dwelling units or two or more nonresidential occupancies shall maintain in a clean and sanitary condition, the shared or public areas of the structure and exterior property. B. Structural members. All structural members shall be maintained structurally sound and be capable of supporting the imposed loads. C. Interior surfaces. All interior surfaces, including ceilings, walls, floors, windows and doors, shall be maintained in good, clean, sound and sanitary condition. D. Stairs and railings. All interior stairs and railings shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair. E. Stairs and walking surfaces. Every stair, ramp, balcony, porch, deck or other walking surface shall comply with the provisions of § 151-84I . F. Handrails and guards. Every handrail and guard shall be firmly fastened and capable of supporting normally imposed loads and shall be maintained in good condition. G. Interior doors. Every interior door shall fit reasonably well within its frame and shall be capable of being opened and closed by being properly and securely attached to jambs, headers or tracks as intended by the manufacturer of the attachment hardware.
Section 151-62 of Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 151 establishes baseline standards for the interior condition of buildings. It requires that structural components, interior surfaces, stairs, railings, handrails, guards, and interior doors all be kept in good repair, structurally sound, and sanitary. Responsibility is shared: owners must maintain common and public areas, while individual occupants are responsible for keeping the portions they control clean and sanitary.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 151-62, property owners of multi-unit buildings, rooming houses, hotels, and dormitories are generally expected to conduct regular inspections of shared spaces—hallways, stairwells, common areas—and address structural deficiencies, deteriorating surfaces, loose railings, and malfunctioning doors promptly. Maintaining documentation of routine maintenance and repairs can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with the structural soundness and sanitary condition requirements of this section. Owners should also be aware that § 151-62E cross-references § 151-84I for walking surfaces such as ramps, balconies, and decks, meaning compliance involves reviewing that related provision as well.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 151-62 gives occupants a basis to expect that the interior structure of their building—including ceilings, walls, floors, stairs, railings, and doors—is kept in good repair and sanitary condition by the property owner. If common areas or structural elements fall into disrepair, tenants may document the conditions and report concerns to the Amherst code enforcement office, which has authority to inspect and act on violations of Chapter 151. Tenant-rights organizations can provide general information about how to raise a § 151-62 violation, including whether it may be relevant as a defense in other housing proceedings.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation