Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-18
Exterior protection
Operative Text
A. Foundation walls. (1) The foundation walls of every structure shall be maintained in good repair and shall be structurally sound. (2) Foundation walls shall be considered in good repair and structurally sound if found free from damage and defects and capable of bearing imposed loads. B. Stairs, porches and railings. (1) The stairs, porches and railings affixed to the exterior of every structure shall be kept in good repair and structurally sound. Railings shall be provided for stairs and balconies and, where necessary, for porches and accessible roofs. (2) Stairs and porches shall be considered to be in good repair and structurally sound when found to be free of holes and cracks and capable of supporting imposed loads. Railings shall be designed to withstand both vertical and horizontal forces in accordance with generally accepted standards. C. Weather- and watertight. (1) Every structure shall be so maintained that it will be weather- and watertight. (2) Exterior walls, roofs and all openings around doors, windows, chimneys and all other parts of the structure shall be so maintained as to keep water from entering the structure and to prevent heat loss. Damaged materials must be repaired or replaced. All parts of the structure that show evidence of dry rot or other deterioration shall be repaired or replaced and refinished. Such replacement shall be in conformity with the remainder of the structure. (3) Windows, doors and hatchways. Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway shall be substantially tight and shall be kept in sound condition and repair. (4) Windows to be glazed. Every window sash shall be fully supplied with glass window panes, or an approved substitute, which are without open cracks or holes. (5) Windows to be tight. Every window sash shall be free of rot and structural defects and shall fit reasonably right within its frame. (6) Windows to be openable. Every window, other than a fixed window, shall be capable of being opened and shall be held in position by window hardware. (7) Door hardware. Every exterior door, door hinge and door latch shall be maintained in good condition. (8) Doors to fit in frame. Every exterior door, when closed, shall fit reasonably well within its frame. (9) Window and door frames to fit in wall. Every window, door and frame shall be constructed and maintained in such relation to the adjacent wall construction so as to exclude rain and to substantially exclude wind from entering the dwelling or multifamily dwelling. D. Protective coating for wood surfaces. (1) All exterior wood surfaces of a structure not inherently resistant to deterioration by the natural elements shall be treated with a protective coating or preservative to prevent structural deterioration. (2) Exterior wood surfaces shall be adequately protected against deterioration through the application of approved protective coatings. (3) Lead-base paint prohibition. In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, the use of lead-base paint is prohibited in residential structures on applicable surfaces, meaning all interior surfaces and those exterior surfaces, such as stairs, decks, porches, railings, windows and doors, which are readily accessible to children. (4) All exterior surfaces shall be free of all loose, peeling, and/or blistered protective coatings. E. Overhanging objects. (1) Every structure shall be free of loose overhanging objects. (2) Exterior walls, roofs and all those parts of the structure shall be free from loose and unsecured objects and materials. Such objects or materials shall be removed, repaired or replaced. F. Graffiti. (1) It shall be the responsibility of the owner to restore any surface marred by graffiti to a clean state of maintenance and repair within a reasonable time. (2) "Graffiti" is defined as any unauthorized inscription, word, figure, painting or other defacement that is written, marked, etched, scratched, sprayed, drawn, painted or engraved on or otherwise affixed to any surface of public or private property by a device capable of leaving a visible mark. (3) If the graffiti is not addressed for an extended period of time, the Code Enforcement Officer or his/her designee may order the removal of the graffiti in accordance with §§ 215-46 and 215-66 .
Jamestown Code ch. 215 § 215-18 establishes comprehensive exterior maintenance standards for all structures in the city. Foundation walls, stairs, porches, and railings must be structurally sound and capable of bearing imposed loads, while the entire building envelope — walls, roofs, windows, and doors — must be kept weather- and watertight to prevent water intrusion and heat loss. Exterior wood surfaces require protective coatings, lead-based paint is prohibited on accessible surfaces in residential structures, loose overhanging objects must be removed, and owners bear responsibility for restoring any surface defaced by graffiti within a reasonable time.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Jamestown Code ch. 215 § 215-18 generally maintain a routine inspection schedule covering foundation integrity, stair and railing stability, roof and wall weatherproofing, window and door hardware, and the condition of all exterior wood surfaces. Compliant operators promptly repair or replace deteriorated materials — including dry rot, cracked window glazing, ill-fitting doors, and peeling protective coatings — and ensure no lead-based paint is applied to accessible surfaces in residential buildings. Graffiti removal is treated as an owner obligation under § 215-18(F), and failure to address it within a reasonable time may result in the Code Enforcement Officer ordering removal pursuant to §§ 215-46 and 215-66.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in structures subject to Jamestown Code ch. 215 § 215-18 have an interest in knowing that their building's exterior — including foundations, stairs, railings, windows, doors, and the roof — is required by local ordinance to be kept structurally sound and weather- and watertight. If conditions such as leaking walls, broken window glazing, failing railings, or persistent graffiti appear to violate § 215-18, tenants can document the issues and report them to Jamestown's Code Enforcement Office, which has authority to order repairs. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand how exterior code violations may relate to habitability concerns or other protections available under local and state 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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