Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 157-50
Responsibilities of occupants
Operative Text
Occupants of dwelling units shall be responsible for compliance with the housing standards in regard to the following: A. Limiting occupancy of that part of the premises which he occupies or controls to the maximum permitted by the housing standards. B. Maintenance of that part of the premises which he occupies or controls in a clean, sanitary and safe condition. C. Maintenance of all plumbing, cooking and refrigeration fixtures and appliances, as well as other building equipment and storage facilities in that part of the premises which he occupies or controls, in a clean and sanitary condition and providing reasonable care in the operation and use thereof. D. Keeping exits from his dwelling unit clear and unencumbered. E. Disposal of garbage and refuse into provided facilities in a clean and sanitary manner. F. Extermination of insects, rodents or other pests within his dwelling unit if his unit is the only one infested in the premises. G. Hanging and removing required screens. H. Keeping his domestic animals and pets in an appropriate manner and under control.
Section 157-50 of Clarkstown's Code of Ordinances places a set of housing-standard responsibilities directly on the occupants of dwelling units, rather than on landlords or property owners. These responsibilities cover a broad range of day-to-day conditions, including keeping occupied spaces clean and safe, maintaining plumbing and appliances properly, keeping exits clear, disposing of garbage sanitably, controlling pests when only one unit is affected, managing screens, and keeping pets under control. The rule draws a clear line: occupants are accountable for the conditions within the portions of the premises they occupy or control.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 157-50, Clarkstown's housing code assigns specific maintenance and compliance duties to occupants themselves, which can be relevant when a property owner is evaluating the source of a code violation. Compliant operators typically document the allocation of responsibilities in lease agreements, conduct periodic inspections to identify whether a condition originates from tenant behavior or from building systems, and maintain records that distinguish owner-side obligations from those assigned to occupants by this section. Understanding this division can help property managers respond accurately when code enforcement inquiries arise.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 157-50 of Clarkstown's Code of Ordinances makes clear that tenants bear responsibility for maintaining the portions of a dwelling they occupy or control — including cleanliness, appliance care, exit clearance, garbage disposal, pest control in solely infested units, screens, and pet management. Tenants who receive a code-enforcement notice related to these areas may wish to review whether the cited condition falls within their assigned responsibilities or whether it stems from a building-wide issue that could implicate the landlord's obligations under other sections of Chapter 157. Local tenant-rights organizations or the Clarkstown code enforcement office can be consulted to better understand how these responsibilities are interpreted and enforced.
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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