Evans, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 158 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 158-57
Prevention of rodent infestation
Operative Text
A. Every residential building shall be maintained free from rodents. Such maintenance shall include construction designed to prevent rodents from entering a building by blocking off or stopping up all passages by which rodents may gain entry, and includes the closing of openings in exterior walls with materials through which rodents cannot penetrate, together with such interior rodent stoppage, harborage removal and cleanup as may be necessary to reduce or eliminate rodent breeding places. B. Every occupant of a single dwelling or dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any rodents, vermin or other pests therein or on the premises. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit in a building containing more than one dwelling unit shall be responsible for such extermination whenever his dwelling unit is the only one infested, except that whenever such infestation is caused by the failure of the owner to carry out the provisions of this chapter, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. When two or more dwelling units within a building are so infested, it shall be the responsibility of the owner to carry out the provisions of this chapter within such building, as cited above, with respect to extermination.
Evans, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 158 § 158-57 establishes that every residential building must be kept free of rodents through both structural prevention measures and active extermination. Responsibility for extermination shifts depending on the situation: a single-unit occupant is generally responsible for their own premises, while in multi-unit buildings the occupant handles extermination when only their unit is affected, but the owner takes on that duty when multiple units are infested or when the infestation stems from the owner's failure to maintain the building. The provision draws a clear line between occupant-level pest control and owner-level structural and systemic obligations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Evans, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 158 § 158-57, compliant property owners generally ensure that exterior walls, foundations, and other entry points are sealed with rodent-resistant materials and that interior harborage areas are eliminated. When two or more dwelling units in a building are found to be infested, or when an infestation is traceable to a failure of building maintenance, owners are expected to take responsibility for extermination across the affected building. Operators who document routine inspections, seal potential entry points proactively, and respond promptly to reported infestations are generally better positioned to demonstrate compliance with this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Evans, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 158 § 158-57 gives tenants in multi-unit buildings a meaningful protection: if an infestation spreads to more than one unit, or if it results from the owner's failure to maintain the building, the responsibility for extermination shifts to the owner rather than the occupant. Tenants who believe their situation falls under the owner-responsibility provisions of this section may consider documenting the infestation, notifying the owner or property manager in writing, and contacting the relevant local code enforcement office to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Evans municipal code can help residents understand which enforcement paths are 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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