Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 216 § 216-1
Legislative intent
Operative Text
A. The City of Jamestown recognizes that the preservation of existing rental housing stock is integral for persons who are residing within the City through a rental property. Rental housing provides affordable housing that is a vital asset and the City of Jamestown has a significant interest in ensuring the rental housing stock remains safe and desirable for all residents. B. Substandard and unsanitary residential units and/or buildings whose conditions violate state and local code must be remediated by the property owner to continue to provide housing for the City of Jamestown's residents. Substandard housing units are unsafe for occupancy and provide a negative impact on public health and safety. C. Rental dwellings/units that are not code compliant create socioeconomic hardships that not only impact the tenant but also negatively impact neighborhoods and communities. D. Relying on a complaint-based code enforcement program is not efficient enough for the interior of rental units due to fear of retaliation to the tenant from the property owner, or the lack of awareness and education on state and local codes by the tenant. E. Dwellings that threaten the health and safety of Jamestown residents will not be tolerated. F. Registering rental housing properties in the City of Jamestown is required to maintain a proper log of all available and unavailable housing units in the City. Registration provides contacts for property owners and/or property managers in the event of an emergency located at the residence.
Section 216-1 of Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 216 establishes the city's foundational rationale for regulating rental housing. The provision declares that substandard or unsanitary rental units harm public health, create socioeconomic burdens for tenants and neighborhoods, and cannot be adequately addressed through complaint-based enforcement alone. To address these concerns, the city requires rental property registration so that a current record of housing units and owner contacts is maintained for emergency and compliance purposes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 216-1 of Jamestown's ch. 216, the city has articulated a clear policy that rental properties must meet state and local code standards and be registered with the city. Compliant operators generally maintain up-to-date registration records, ensure their units satisfy applicable health and safety codes, and keep current contact information on file so city officials can reach them in an emergency. Because the ordinance explicitly moves beyond complaint-based enforcement, property owners in Jamestown should expect proactive inspections rather than waiting for tenant complaints to trigger review.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 216-1 of Jamestown ch. 216 reflects the city's recognition that tenants may hesitate to report substandard conditions out of fear of retaliation or lack of awareness about applicable codes. Because of this, the city has committed to a more proactive enforcement approach rather than relying solely on tenant complaints to identify unsafe units. Tenants who believe their rental unit is substandard or code non-compliant may wish to contact the City of Jamestown's code enforcement office or consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand what options are available under this chapter.
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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