Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-55
Designation and vacation of unfit premises
Operative Text
A. Unfit premises shall be any premises within the scope of this chapter having any of the following defined defects and may be designated by the Bureau Chief as unfit for human habitation or dangerous to human life or detrimental to health and may be so placarded: (1) The structure lacks illumination, ventilation, sanitation, heat or other facilities adequate to protect the health and safety of the occupants or the public. (2) The structure or premises is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin infested in such a manner as to create a serious hazard to the health and safety of the occupants or the public. (3) The structure or premises, because of the location, general conditions, state of premises or number of occupants, is so unsanitary, unsafe, overcrowded or otherwise detrimental to health and safety that it creates a serious hazard to the occupants or the public. (4) The structure, because of the failure of the owner or occupant to comply with such notice and orders issued pursuant to this chapter, is unfit for human habitation or dangerous to human life or detrimental to health. B. Whenever the Bureau Chief determines that any premises are unfit for human habitation or dangerous to human life or detrimental to health as provided herein, he must include such finding within the notice and order provided for in § C152(M) of the Code of the City of Fulton, along with a statement of his intent to order the premises vacated and to placard said premises if compliance with the provisions of the notice and order has not been secured. C. Whenever a notice and order as provided herein has not been complied with, the Bureau Chief may placard said premises directing the premises or any part thereof to be vacated, and the tenants affected thereby shall be notified of such designation. D. Any premises ordered placarded and vacated as provided herein shall be vacated within such reasonable time as the Bureau Chief may specify in the order. No such premises shall again be used or the placard removed until written approval is secured from the Bureau Chief. E. The owner of any such premises which have been designated as unfit for human habitation or dangerous to human life or detrimental to health shall make such premises safe and secure for the protection of the public. F. The owner of the premises designated as unfit for human habitation may correct the violation, regardless of cost, provided that the requirements of the applicable building code are satisfied. G. In the event that premises designated as unfit are reoccupied prior to the issuance of written approval for reoccupancy, after having been vacated pursuant to such order, then in such event the act or omission of the owner or person responsible therefor which caused or permitted the unfit premises to be reoccupied shall be deemed a serious violation. Such serious violation shall commence on the date the unfit premises are reoccupied and continue until a written approval for reoccupancy is issued or the unfit premises are vacated again and made secure. Each day that such violation persists shall constitute a separate serious violation.
Section 475-55 of Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 establishes the conditions under which the Bureau Chief may officially designate a property as unfit for human habitation, dangerous to human life, or detrimental to health. Qualifying defects include inadequate illumination, ventilation, sanitation, heat, structural decay, vermin infestation, overcrowding, or an owner's failure to comply with prior orders. Once designated, the Bureau Chief may post a placard and order the premises vacated; the property cannot be reoccupied until written approval is granted. Allowing reoccupancy before that approval is issued constitutes a serious violation that accrues separately for each day it continues.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 475-55, property owners in Fulton, N.Y., are expected to maintain their buildings free of the defects—such as structural decay, inadequate sanitation, and vermin infestation—that can trigger an unfit designation by the Bureau Chief. When a notice and order is issued, compliant operators address the cited conditions before the deadline specified in that order to avoid placarding and a mandatory vacation order. If a placard is posted, owners must obtain written approval from the Bureau Chief before allowing any reoccupancy; permitting tenants to return without that approval is treated as a serious violation that restarts each day the situation continues.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 475-55 gives tenants the right to be notified whenever the Bureau Chief orders their premises placarded and vacated as unfit for human habitation or dangerous to human life. Tenants cannot lawfully be required to remain in—or return to—a placarded property until the Bureau Chief issues written approval for reoccupancy, and an owner who allows or causes premature reoccupancy is committing a serious, day-by-day violation under this provision. Tenants who believe their housing may meet the unfit criteria described in § 475-55 can contact the Fulton Bureau Chief's office directly or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand the complaint and inspection process.
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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