Newburgh, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 190 § 190-2
Legislative findings
Operative Text
It is hereby found and declared that there exist in the City structures used for human habitation which are or may become in the future substandard with respect to structure, equipment or maintenance and further that such conditions, together with inadequate provision for light and air, insufficient protection against fire hazards, lack of proper heating, insanitary conditions and overcrowding, constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of its citizens. It is further found and declared that the existence of such conditions, factors or characteristics will, if not remedied, create slum and blighted areas requiring large-scale clearance and further that in the absence of corrective measures such areas will experience a deterioration of social values, a curtailment of investment and tax revenue and an impairment of economic values. It is further found and declared that the establishment and maintenance of minimum housing standards are essential to the prevention of blight and decay and the safeguarding of public health, safety, morals and welfare.
Section 190-2 of Newburgh's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 190, sets out the city's formal rationale for regulating housing conditions. It recognizes that substandard structures — those lacking adequate light, air, fire protection, heating, or sanitation, or suffering from overcrowding — pose risks to public health, safety, and welfare. The provision also acknowledges that unchecked deterioration can lead to neighborhood blight, reduced investment, and loss of tax revenue, making minimum housing standards a civic necessity.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Chapter 190, § 190-2 establishes the policy foundation upon which Newburgh's entire minimum housing code rests, signaling that the city treats structural, equipment, and maintenance deficiencies as serious public concerns. Operators who maintain properties in compliance with the standards that follow from this legislative finding — ensuring adequate heating, sanitation, fire protection, and proper occupancy levels — align with the city's stated goals of preventing blight. Familiarity with this foundational section helps property managers understand why subsequent code requirements carry the weight they do.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 190-2 of Newburgh's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 190, reflects the city's formal recognition that poor housing conditions — including inadequate heat, sanitation, fire protection, and overcrowding — are threats to residents' health and welfare. Tenants living in conditions that resemble those described in this legislative finding may have grounds to raise housing code concerns through the city's code enforcement process. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Newburgh's housing code can help residents understand what options are generally available when conditions fall below the minimum standards this provision was designed to prevent.
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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