North Hempstead, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 28 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 28-16
Plumbing
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner or occupant or let to another for occupancy any structure or portion thereof which does not comply with the following requirements: A. All plumbing fixtures, water supply lines, sewer lines and waste disposal systems and their appurtenances shall be properly installed in accordance with the requirements of the Plumbing Code of the Town. They shall be maintained in a safe, sanitary and operating condition, free from defects, leaks and obstructions. B. Every occupant shall be responsible for the exercise of proper care and cleanliness in the use and operation of all plumbing fixtures, sanitary facilities, appliances and equipment therein. This liability on the part of the occupant shall not relieve the owner of the responsibility of remedying any defect, nor of any other liability imposed upon the owner by law, but it shall subject the occupant to the penalties of this ordinance, upon proper proof, of any willful or malicious act he has performed.
North Hempstead Code ch. 28 § 28-16 establishes that any structure offered for occupancy must have plumbing fixtures, water supply lines, sewer lines, and waste disposal systems that are properly installed, maintained in safe and sanitary working order, and free from defects, leaks, and obstructions. Owners bear primary responsibility for correcting plumbing defects, but occupants are also required to use plumbing fixtures and sanitary facilities with proper care and cleanliness. If an occupant willfully or maliciously damages plumbing systems, that occupant can be held liable under the ordinance's penalty provisions, even though this does not eliminate the owner's underlying obligations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under North Hempstead Code ch. 28 § 28-16, compliant property owners and managers generally ensure that all plumbing fixtures, water supply lines, sewer lines, and waste disposal systems are installed in accordance with the Town's Plumbing Code and kept in safe, sanitary, and fully operational condition. Operators typically conduct routine inspections to identify and promptly address defects, leaks, or obstructions before they worsen or create health hazards. Importantly, an occupant's responsibility for proper use does not transfer or reduce the owner's legal duty to remedy plumbing defects, so maintaining a proactive maintenance program is a hallmark of compliance with § 28-16.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
North Hempstead Code ch. 28 § 28-16 gives occupants the right to live in a structure where plumbing systems are properly installed and maintained in safe, sanitary, and working condition — an obligation that rests primarily with the owner. Tenants who experience plumbing defects, leaks, or obstructions may have grounds to raise a violation of § 28-16 when seeking remedies, and can consider contacting the Town of North Hempstead's code enforcement office to report conditions that fall short of these standards. At the same time, § 28-16 places a duty on occupants to use plumbing fixtures and sanitary facilities with proper care, and willful or malicious damage by an occupant can expose that occupant to the ordinance's penalties; a local tenant-rights organization can help clarify how these dual responsibilities apply in a given situation.
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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