Canisteo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 87 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 87-10
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
A. Any person or entity that shall violate any of the provisions of this article or fails to comply with any of the requirements thereof shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a mandatory minimum fine of $250, up to a maximum fine of $2,500 per violation each day a violation exists. It shall be no defense that the owner of the rental property or his resident agent did not know and/or was not notified of the violation of this article. B. In addition to the fines set forth above, any person who violates this article by receiving rent for premises lacking a valid certificate of occupancy shall be required to refund all rents collected for the rental of those premises for any period of time during which those premises lacked the certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy; provided, however, that a landlord or owner shall not be required to refund rents or security deposits to a tenant or occupant(s) who has caused the revocation of the certificate of occupancy for the premises through the neglect or willful misconduct by such tenant or occupant(s).
Canisteo, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 87 § 87-10 establishes financial consequences for violations of the rental property article. Any person or entity found in violation faces a mandatory minimum fine of $250 and up to $2,500 for each day a violation continues. Beyond fines, a landlord who collects rent on a property that lacks a valid certificate of occupancy may be required to refund all rent collected during the period the certificate was absent — unless the tenant's own neglect or willful misconduct caused the certificate to be revoked.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 87 § 87-10, compliant rental operators in Canisteo maintain a valid certificate of occupancy at all times and do not collect rent on properties that lack one. Importantly, the ordinance explicitly states that ignorance of a violation — whether by the owner or a resident agent — is not a defense, so operators generally implement regular inspection and compliance tracking practices. Landlords who collect rent without a valid certificate risk not only daily fines but also mandatory refunds of all rent received during the non-compliant period.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 87-10 of Canisteo's Code of Ordinances gives tenants a meaningful protection: if a landlord has been collecting rent on a property that lacked a valid certificate of occupancy, the landlord may be required to refund all rent paid during that period. Tenants who believe this provision applies to their situation may consider raising the lack of a certificate as a defense in relevant proceedings or filing a complaint with the appropriate local enforcement authority. Tenant-rights organizations can help explain what documentation to gather and what general options may be available under this provision.
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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