Cohoes, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-15
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
A. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any owner, managing agent or person in possession or charge of a rental dwelling unit, apartment, tenement, or dwelling to let or allow the occupancy of said unit without having obtained, prior to said rental, occupancy or re-occupancy, a residential occupancy permit. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any owner, managing agent or person in possession or charge of a transient occupancy unit to let or allow occupancy of said unit without having obtained an annual operating permit as set forth in § 215-8 of this chapter. It shall be unlawful to fail to comply with a violation order issued by the Department of Code Enforcement pursuant to this chapter. Furthermore, it shall be unlawful for any occupant of a rental dwelling unit, apartment or tenement to violate any of the provisions of this chapter relating to said occupancy. B. Upon conviction, every owner, managing agent, or person in possession or charge of a rental dwelling unit, apartment, tenement, or transient occupancy dwelling who shall fail to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of between $100 and $250 or up to 15 days in jail or up to 50 hours of community service, or any combination thereof, for the first offense; a fine of between $200 and $500 or up to 15 days in jail or up to 100 hours of community service, or any combination thereof, for the second offense committed within three years of the first offense; and a fine of between $500 and $1,000 or up to 15 days in jail or up to 150 hours of community service, or any combination thereof, for a third or subsequent offense committed within three years of the first offense. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense, however continuing violations under the same facts shall not be counted as subsequent violations for the purpose of enhanced penalties. C. Failure to comply with a violation order to remedy or abate shall subject the person served with the order to the penalties contained in § 152-7D of this Code for failure to comply with a lawful order of the Code Enforcement Department. D. Upon conviction, any occupant found to be in violation of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of up to $250 or up to 15 days in jail or up to 100 hours of community service, or any combination thereof. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
Cohoes, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-15 establishes that renting or allowing occupancy of a dwelling unit without the required residential occupancy permit—or a transient occupancy unit without an annual operating permit—is unlawful. Owners, managing agents, and occupants alike can face fines, jail time, or community service upon conviction, with penalties escalating for repeat offenses within a three-year window. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, though ongoing violations under the same facts do not trigger the enhanced repeat-offense penalties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cohoes ch. 215 § 215-15, compliant operators secure a valid residential occupancy permit before any rental, occupancy, or re-occupancy, and maintain an annual operating permit for any transient occupancy units. Operators also respond promptly to any violation orders issued by the Department of Code Enforcement, since failure to comply with such orders carries its own separate penalty track. First-offense fines range from $100 to $250, rising to $500–$1,000 for a third or subsequent offense within three years, making timely permit maintenance a core part of property management practice in Cohoes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cohoes ch. 215 § 215-15 also applies to occupants: a tenant found to be violating provisions of this chapter relating to their occupancy can face fines of up to $250, up to 15 days in jail, or up to 100 hours of community service upon conviction, with each continuing day treated as a separate offense. Tenants who believe a landlord is renting a unit without the required occupancy permit may raise that fact as relevant context when dealing with the Department of Code Enforcement or when consulting a tenant-rights organization. Reviewing whether a valid residential occupancy permit was in place before move-in is a step that tenant advocates often recommend when questions arise under § 215-15.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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