Cohoes, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-5
Inspection and certification required; period of validity
Operative Text
A. All residential rental dwelling units shall be inspected and certified by the Code Enforcement Department, which shall determine compliance with, administer and enforce all applicable provisions of this chapter, the City Code, and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (hereinafter "Uniform Code"). Prior to the re-occupancy of a rental dwelling unit, apartment or tenement, the landlord, managing agent or person in possession thereof shall secure from the Code Enforcement Department a certificate indicating that the said dwelling unit complies with the requirements of this chapter. On or after January 1, 2002, residential occupancy permits shall be valid for three years from the date of issuance for dwelling units covered by the New York State Multiple Residence Law . On or after January 1, 2003, residential occupancy permits shall be valid for three years from the date of issuance for all other rental dwelling units. B. Nothing contained herein shall be construed or operate to invalidate an otherwise legally effective permit or certificate issued prior to January 1, 2002, except that such permit or certificate shall be valid only until: (1) January 1, 2005, or a change in the tenancy of the residential rental dwelling unit to which the permit or certificate relates, whichever first occurs, for dwelling units covered by the New York State Multiple Residence Law . (2) January 1, 2006, or a change in the tenancy of the residential rental dwelling unit to which the permit or certificate relates, whichever first occurs, for all residential rental dwelling units not covered in § 215-5B(1) above.
Under Cohoes, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-5, all residential rental dwelling units in Cohoes must be inspected and certified by the Code Enforcement Department before they can be re-occupied. A certificate of compliance must be obtained prior to a new tenant moving in, confirming the unit meets local and New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code standards. Residential occupancy permits issued under this chapter are valid for three years from the date of issuance, and pre-existing permits issued before January 1, 2002 were subject to specific expiration deadlines tied either to a fixed date or a change in tenancy, whichever came first.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 215-5 of the Cohoes Code of Ordinances, compliant property owners and managing agents obtain a valid certificate of compliance from the Code Enforcement Department before allowing any new occupant to move into a rental unit. Because occupancy permits carry a three-year validity period, operators generally track expiration dates and schedule re-inspections in advance of permit renewals to avoid gaps in certification. Maintaining current documentation for each unit is a standard practice for demonstrating ongoing compliance with the City Code and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 215-5 of the Cohoes Code of Ordinances establishes that a landlord must hold a valid certificate of compliance from the Code Enforcement Department before a rental unit can be re-occupied, which is a right that benefits incoming tenants. Tenants who have questions about whether their unit holds a current certificate may contact the Cohoes Code Enforcement Department directly to inquire about a unit's inspection and certification status. Tenant-rights organizations can also help renters understand how the absence of a valid occupancy permit may be relevant to their housing situation, including as a potential issue to raise in appropriate 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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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