New Rochelle, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 174 § 174-2
Purpose
Operative Text
It is hereby declared that the purpose of this chapter is to protect, preserve and promote the physical and mental health and social well-being of the people, to minimize the incidence of communicable disease, to regulate privately and publicly owned dwellings for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and public health and to protect the safety of the people and to promote the general welfare by regulations which shall be applicable to all dwellings now in existence or hereafter constructed. It is hereby further declared that the purpose of this chapter is to ensure that the quality of housing is adequate for the protection of public health, safety and general welfare. The achievement of this purpose includes the establishment of minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for healthful living, such as adequate water, waste disposal, bathroom facilities, light, ventilation, heating and cooling, for safety from fire and accidents, for the use and location and amount of space for human occupancy and for an adequate level of maintenance, setting forth the responsibilities for owners, operators and occupants of dwellings and establishing the necessary provisions for administration and enforcement.
New Rochelle, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 174 § 174-2 establishes the overarching purpose of the city's housing code: to safeguard public health, safety, and general welfare by setting minimum standards for all residential dwellings, whether existing or newly built. The provision covers a broad range of living conditions, including water supply, waste disposal, bathroom facilities, lighting, ventilation, heating, cooling, fire safety, and space requirements. It also defines the responsibilities of owners, operators, and occupants and lays the groundwork for how the code is administered and enforced.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 174 § 174-2, property owners and operators in New Rochelle are subject to a comprehensive housing code that applies to all dwellings regardless of when they were built. Compliant operators generally ensure that their properties meet the minimum standards described in this chapter — covering essentials such as sanitation, adequate utilities, fire safety, and habitability — and remain attentive to the responsibilities the code assigns to them specifically. Familiarity with the full scope of ch. 174 helps operators understand what inspections, maintenance obligations, and enforcement mechanisms may apply to their properties.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 174-2 of New Rochelle's housing code signals that tenants in all types of dwellings — private or public — are entitled to housing that meets baseline standards for health, safety, and habitability. When conditions such as inadequate water, poor ventilation, heating failures, or fire hazards arise, this chapter's purpose clause underpins the broader set of enforceable standards found throughout ch. 174. Tenants who believe their housing falls short of these standards may consider contacting the City of New Rochelle's code enforcement office, raising the violation in relevant legal proceedings, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about 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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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