N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2020
Definitions (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
When used in this article: (a) Organic wastes shall mean all wastes produced by or from living organisms. (b) Inorganic wastes shall mean all wastes other than organic wastes, including discarded lumber, wood shavings and furniture. (c) Household wastes shall mean all wastes, organic and inorganic, which are produced within a dwelling unit.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2020 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the article governing housing maintenance and waste management. It draws a distinction between organic wastes (those produced by or from living organisms), inorganic wastes (all other wastes, such as discarded lumber, wood shavings, and furniture), and household wastes (the combined category of both organic and inorganic materials generated within a dwelling unit). These definitions set the scope for how waste-related obligations and standards are interpreted under the broader article.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers should be familiar with the waste categories defined in § 27-2020, as these terms carry specific meanings throughout the housing maintenance article. Compliant operators generally ensure that waste removal and storage practices account for all three categories—organic, inorganic, and household wastes—as defined here. Understanding these definitions helps operators correctly apply the waste-handling requirements found elsewhere in N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 27-2020 of the N.Y.C. Admin. Code establishes what counts as organic, inorganic, and household waste under the housing maintenance article, which can be relevant when evaluating whether a landlord is meeting waste-related upkeep obligations. Tenants who believe waste conditions in their building are not being properly addressed may find these definitions useful context when reviewing their rights under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. Tenant-rights organizations or local housing agencies can help clarify how these definitions apply to specific building conditions.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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