Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-4
Interpretation; available remedies
Operative Text
A. Interpretations, procedural rules and forms. The Bureau Chief shall, consistent with the express standards, purposes and intent of this chapter, promulgate, adopt and issue such interpretations, procedural rules and forms and amendments to such interpretations, procedural rules and forms as are in the Bureau Chief's opinion necessary for effective implementation of the provisions of this chapter. These interpretations, rules and forms shall be available to the public at the office of the Code Enforcement Bureau. However, nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to vest the Bureau Chief with the authority to amend the content of this chapter. Any amendment to this chapter shall be effective only upon the duly approved legislative act of the Common Council. B. Application and availability of remedies. The provisions of this chapter shall supplement federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes or regulations. When a provision of the chapter is found to be inconsistent with any provisions of a statute, local law, ordinance, code or regulation, the provision or requirement which is the more restrictive or which establishes the highest standard shall prevail. A greater penalty shall not be considered as more restrictive or a higher standard, notwithstanding the availability of other remedies for enforcement of the provisions contained in: (1) The Americans With Disabilities Act, the New York State Multiple Residence Law and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. (2) The Brush, Grass and Weeds Ordinance (Chapter 253 of the City Code). (3) The Unsafe Buildings Ordinance (Chapter 262 of the City Code). (4) The Electrical Standards Ordinance (Chapter 300 , Article II , of the City Code). (5) The Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (Chapter 341 of the City Code). (6) The Junkyard Ordinance (Chapter 392 of the City Code). (7) The Secondhand Property Sales Ordinance (Chapter 506 , Article II , of the City Code). (8) The Smoke Control Ordinance (Chapter 204 of the City Code). (9) The Swimming Pool Ordinance (Chapter 549 of the City Code). (10) The Abandoned Vehicles Ordinance (Chapter 601 of the City Code). (11) The Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 640 of the City Code). (12) The Plumbing Code (Chapter 468 of the City Code). (13) Any other state code or City ordinance as hereafter added by resolution of the Common Council of the City of Fulton.
Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-4 establishes two key operational rules for the city's housing and property code. First, it authorizes the Bureau Chief to create interpretive guidance, procedural rules, and forms needed to carry out the chapter — though only the Common Council can actually change the chapter's text through a formal legislative act. Second, it directs that this chapter works alongside other applicable federal, state, and local laws, with the stricter or higher standard prevailing in any conflict, while clarifying that a higher penalty alone does not make one law 'more restrictive' than another.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Fulton should be aware that ch. 475 § 475-4 layers on top of — rather than replacing — a wide range of other codes, including the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, the Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 640), and numerous other city ordinances. Compliant operators generally familiarize themselves with the interpretations, procedural rules, and forms issued by the Bureau Chief, which are available at the Code Enforcement Bureau's office. Because the stricter standard governs whenever two applicable rules conflict, operators typically review all overlapping regulations rather than assuming compliance with one satisfies the others.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under ch. 475 § 475-4, tenants benefit from a framework that applies the highest applicable standard when multiple laws overlap — meaning a landlord cannot escape a stricter local requirement simply because a different law sets a lower bar. Tenants who believe a property condition may violate this chapter or a related ordinance (such as the Unsafe Buildings Ordinance, Chapter 262, or the Plumbing Code, Chapter 468) can generally raise those concerns with the Code Enforcement Bureau, which administers the interpretive rules and forms under this provision. Consulting a local tenant-rights organization can help identify which overlapping standards may apply to a given property condition.
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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