Johnson City, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 166 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 166-46
Extermination of insects
Operative Text
Every occupant of a dwelling containing a single dwelling unit shall be responsible for the extermination of any insects, rodents or other pests therein or on the premises; and every occupant of a dwelling unit in a dwelling containing more than one dwelling unit shall be responsible for such extermination whenever his or her dwelling unit is the only one infested. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision of this section, whenever infestation is caused by failure of the owner to maintain a dwelling in a verminproof or reasonably insectproof condition, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. Whenever infestation exists in two or more of the dwelling units in any dwelling or in the shared or public parts of any dwelling containing two or more dwelling units, extermination thereof shall be the responsibility of the owner.
Under Johnson City, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 166 § 166-46, responsibility for pest extermination in a dwelling depends on the scope and source of the infestation. In a single-unit dwelling, the occupant bears responsibility; in a multi-unit building, an occupant is responsible only when the infestation is confined to their unit alone. However, when an infestation spreads to two or more units, affects shared or common areas, or results from the owner's failure to keep the structure vermin- or insect-proof, the responsibility shifts to the owner.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 166-46, property owners and managers of multi-unit buildings are generally expected to maintain the structure in a verminproof and reasonably insectproof condition to avoid bearing extermination responsibility. When an infestation is found in two or more dwelling units or in common areas, compliant operators typically arrange and pay for professional extermination promptly. Owners who allow structural conditions to deteriorate in ways that invite infestation may find that extermination obligations fall to them even in cases that might otherwise be a tenant's responsibility.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 166-46 of the Johnson City Code establishes that tenants in single-unit dwellings, or tenants whose unit is the sole infested unit in a multi-unit building, are generally responsible for extermination. If an infestation extends beyond your unit into common areas or other units, or if it stems from the owner's failure to maintain the building properly, the ordinance places that responsibility on the owner rather than the tenant. Tenants who believe an owner is not meeting their obligations under § 166-46 may consider documenting the infestation, notifying the owner in writing, and reaching out to local code enforcement or a tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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