Brewster, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 148 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 148-15
General structural requirements
Operative Text
A. Buildings and parts hereof shall be maintained so as to be capable of sustaining safely their own weight and the loads to which they may be subject. B. Buildings shall be maintained so that loads are transmitted to the soil without undue differential settlement, unsafe deformation or movement of the building or of any structural part. C. Buildings shall be maintained so that protection is provided for all structural members which may become structurally unsound if left unprotected. Causes of such deterioration include, among others, the action of freezing and thawing, dampness, corrosion, wetting and drying and termites and other destructive insects. D. Buildings built in soil which is water-bearing at any season of the year shall be maintained so that ground- and surface water will not penetrate into habitable spaces, basements and cellars.
Section 148-15 of Brewster, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 148 establishes baseline structural maintenance standards for all buildings. It requires that structures bear their own weight and imposed loads safely, that forces are transferred to the ground without harmful settling or movement, that structural members are shielded from deterioration caused by moisture, temperature cycles, corrosion, and insects, and that buildings on water-bearing soil keep groundwater and surface water out of habitable spaces, basements, and cellars. The rule applies continuously — it is an ongoing maintenance obligation, not a one-time construction standard.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Brewster, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 148 § 148-15 generally conduct regular inspections to confirm that load-bearing elements remain sound and that no differential settlement or structural movement has developed. Compliant operators typically maintain protective treatments — such as moisture barriers, corrosion-resistant coatings, and pest-control measures — on all structural members vulnerable to freezing, dampness, or insect damage. For buildings on seasonally water-bearing soil, operators commonly ensure that waterproofing systems for basements and cellars are functional and that drainage prevents water intrusion into habitable areas.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Brewster may have protections under § 148-15 if their building shows signs of structural compromise, such as visible settling, water intrusion into basements or living spaces, or evidence of pest-related structural damage. These conditions may constitute a violation of the local property maintenance code, and tenants can generally report suspected violations to the appropriate Brewster municipal code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand how a landlord's failure to comply with § 148-15 might be raised as a relevant issue in 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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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