Lackawanna, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 139 § 139-8
Certificate of compliance
Operative Text
Commencing with the third anniversary of the effective date of this chapter: A. It shall be unlawful to occupy or use any premises unless and until a certificate of compliance shall have been issued by the Department of Development certifying that such premises conforms to the housing standards, except that a temporary certificate may be issued upon a showing, to the satisfaction of the Department of Development, that remedial action is being taken to correct violations. B. A certificate of compliance shall be valid for five years from the date of issue, except; a new certificate shall be required for every premises, improved or unimproved, if the use or occupancy is changed, a building or structure is altered, or vacant premises are reoccupied; a certificate may be revoked, by written notice thereof, if upon an inspection premises are found to be in violation of the housing standards.
Under Lackawanna, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 139 § 139-8, no property may be legally occupied or used without a valid certificate of compliance issued by the Department of Development confirming the premises meets local housing standards. Certificates are valid for five years, but a new one is required whenever the use or occupancy changes, a structure is altered, or a vacant property is reoccupied. A certificate can be revoked after an inspection reveals housing standard violations, though a temporary certificate may be granted while corrective work is actively underway.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 139 § 139-8, compliant operators in Lackawanna ensure that a current certificate of compliance issued by the Department of Development is in place before any premises is occupied or put to use. Operators generally track the five-year validity window and initiate renewal before expiration, and they obtain a new certificate whenever a property's use changes, a building is altered, or a previously vacant unit is reoccupied. When violations are identified during an inspection, operators typically pursue remedial action promptly, as demonstrating active correction can support issuance of a temporary certificate while work is completed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 139-8 of Lackawanna's Code of Ordinances establishes that a premises must hold a valid certificate of compliance from the Department of Development before it can lawfully be occupied. Tenants have an interest in knowing whether such a certificate exists for their unit, particularly if the property has recently changed use, been altered, or was previously vacant. If a certificate is absent or has been revoked, tenants may wish to contact the Department of Development to inquire about the property's compliance status, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand what options may be available.
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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