Hornell, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 178 § 178-16
General requirements
Operative Text
A. Sustention of weight and loads. Buildings and parts thereof shall be maintained so as to be capable of sustaining safely their own weight and the loads to which they may be subject. B. Transmittal of loads to soil. Buildings shall be maintained so that loads are transmitted to the soil without undue differential settlement, unsafe deformation or movement of the building or of any structural part. C. Structural members. Buildings shall be maintained so that protection is provided for all structural members which may become structurally unsound if left unprotected. Causes of such deterioration include, among others, action of freezing and thawing, dampness, corrosion, wetting and drying and termites and other destructive insects. D. Buildings on water-bearing soil. Buildings built in soil which is water-bearing at any season of the year shall be maintained so that ground- and surface water will not penetrate into habitable spaces, basements and cellars.
Section 178-16 of Hornell's Code of Ordinances establishes baseline structural maintenance standards for all buildings. It requires that structures safely bear their own weight and any imposed loads, that those loads transfer to the ground without causing unsafe settling or movement, that structural members be protected from deterioration caused by moisture, temperature cycles, corrosion, and insects, and that buildings on water-bearing soil be kept free of groundwater intrusion in habitable spaces, basements, and cellars. The provision addresses the full range of conditions that can compromise a building's structural integrity over time.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Hornell, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 178 § 178-16 generally conduct routine inspections to confirm that load-bearing elements remain sound and that foundations show no signs of differential settlement or unsafe movement. Compliant operators also maintain protective treatments—such as moisture barriers, corrosion-resistant coatings, and pest-control measures—on structural members vulnerable to freezing, dampness, or insect damage. For properties on water-bearing soil, operators typically maintain drainage systems and waterproofing measures to prevent groundwater from entering habitable areas, basements, and cellars.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 178-16 of Hornell's Code of Ordinances gives tenants a basis to raise concerns when a building shows signs of structural failure, such as visible foundation cracking, sagging structural members, evidence of pest damage, or water intrusion into living spaces, basements, or cellars. Tenants who observe these conditions may report them to the City of Hornell's code enforcement office, which has authority to inspect and require corrective action. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand how documented structural deficiencies under this provision may relate to habitability rights or other remedies available under New York law.
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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