Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 44 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 44-13
Enforcement inspection criteria and authority
Operative Text
A. Upon the rental dwelling unit being registered, the owner of the rental dwelling unit consents to the inspection of the dwelling unit by the Commissioner or his/her designated representative. The Commissioner, or his/her designated representative, may make an inspection of the rental dwelling unit to determine whether or not such rental dwelling unit is in substantial compliance with this chapter and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. At the conclusion of said inspection, the Commissioner, or his/her designated representative, shall provide the owner, or the owner's representative, at the inspection with a copy of the results of the inspection. (1) For properties constructed prior to 1978, the owner of the rental dwelling unit consents to the inspection of the dwelling unit for lead violations or hazards. Upon testing of paint in the property, any owner found to have a property with existing lead-based paint violations must remediate the violation according to provisions set forth in this chapter. Where violations or hazard are present, the rental dwelling unit registration certificate holder must submit proof of completion of a local EPA Accredited Renovation, Repair and Painting Training Program in the time allotted by the Building Department. B. If the results of the inspection conducted pursuant to § 44-13A above demonstrate that the dwelling unit is in substantial compliance with this Chapter and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the owner of the dwelling unit shall be entitled to retain his/her her rental dwelling unit registration certificate.
Section 44-13 of Amherst's Code of Ordinances establishes that registering a rental dwelling unit carries with it the owner's consent to inspections by the Commissioner or a designated representative, who checks whether the unit meets local code and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Inspection results must be shared with the owner or their representative on-site at the conclusion of the visit. For units built before 1978, the inspection scope extends to lead-based paint hazards, and any confirmed violations require remediation along with proof of completion of an EPA-accredited Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) training program within the timeframe set by the Building Department. Owners whose units pass inspection are entitled to keep their rental dwelling unit registration certificate.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 44-13, registering a rental unit in Amherst constitutes consent to inspections, so compliant operators generally ensure their properties meet both local chapter requirements and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code before and during the inspection process. Operators of pre-1978 properties typically maintain records related to lead-based paint conditions and, if violations are identified, complete remediation and obtain proof of an EPA-accredited RRP training program within the Building Department's stated timeframe. Retaining the rental dwelling unit registration certificate depends on demonstrating substantial compliance at the conclusion of the § 44-13A inspection.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 44-13 creates a framework under which rental units in Amherst are subject to periodic inspections for code compliance and, in pre-1978 buildings, lead-based paint hazards — providing tenants with a layer of oversight tied directly to the registration process. Tenants who believe their unit has unaddressed code violations or lead hazards may find it useful to contact the Amherst Building Department, which administers the inspection program under § 44-13, to inquire about inspection status or file a concern. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New York housing law can help residents understand what remedies may be available when violations are identified but not corrected within the required timeframe.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation