Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 157-51
Legislative Intent; purpose
Operative Text
The Town of Clarkstown Board Members hereby finds that there exist in the Town of Clarkstown serious conditions arising from the rental of dwelling units that are substandard, inadequate in size, overcrowded and/or dangerous and/or are in violation of local and state law, and that the rental of such dwelling units poses a significant threat to life, limb and property of residents of the Town of Clarkstown and others, tends to promote and encourage deterioration of housing within the Town, contributes to excessive vehicular traffic and parking problems and overburdens and has a detrimental effect upon municipal services. The Board finds the current Code provisions are inadequate to adequately deter and/or eliminate the existence of such dwelling units and that adequate legislation regulating these occupancies is required to promote and preserve the public health, safety, welfare and good order and governance of the Town. The enactment of the regulations set forth in this article, which regulations are remedial in nature and effect, shall have the effect of enhancing the public health safety, welfare and good order to the Town of Clarkstown.
Chapter 157, Section 157-51 of the Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances establishes the legislative intent behind the Town's rental dwelling regulations. The Town Board determined that substandard, overcrowded, or otherwise unsafe rental units create serious risks to residents' health, safety, and property, while also straining municipal services and contributing to neighborhood deterioration. This section frames the entire article as remedial in nature, meaning the rules that follow are designed to correct existing problems and protect the general public welfare.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Section 157-51 signals that Clarkstown's rental regulations were enacted specifically because prior code provisions were deemed insufficient to address unsafe and overcrowded rental conditions. Operators who rent dwelling units in Clarkstown generally ensure their properties meet local and state standards for size, occupancy, and habitability in order to align with the remedial goals the Board articulated in this section. Familiarity with the full scope of Chapter 157 helps property managers understand the policy backdrop against which compliance obligations and enforcement actions are evaluated.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 157-51 reflects the Town of Clarkstown's formal finding that substandard and overcrowded rental conditions pose real threats to residents' health, safety, and property. Tenants living in units they believe are unsafe, overcrowded, or otherwise in violation of local or state law may reference this legislative intent when seeking remedies, as it underscores the Town's commitment to addressing such conditions. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing offices can help residents understand what avenues exist under Chapter 157 for reporting or challenging conditions that the Board identified as serious concerns.
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 Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation