Oswego, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-17
General requirements
Operative Text
A. Buildings and parts thereof shall be maintained so as be capable of sustaining their own weight and the loads to which they may be subject. B. Buildings shall be maintained so that loads are transmitted to the soil without undue differential settlement, unsafe deformation or movement of the building or of any structural part. C. Buildings shall be maintained so that protection is provided for all structural members which may become structurally unsound if left unprotected. Causes of such deterioration include, among others, action of freezing and thawing, dampness, corrosion, wetting and drying and termites and other destructive insects. D. Buildings built in soil which is water-bearing at any season of the year shall be maintained so that ground and surface water will not penetrate into habitable spaces, basements and cellars.
Section 149-17 of Oswego's Code of Ordinances establishes baseline structural and moisture-protection standards that all buildings must continuously meet. Buildings must be capable of bearing their own weight and any imposed loads, transmitting those forces safely to the ground without harmful settling or deformation. Structural members must be shielded from deterioration caused by factors such as freeze-thaw cycles, dampness, corrosion, and insects, and buildings on water-bearing soil must be kept free of ground and surface water intrusion into habitable spaces, basements, and cellars.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 149 § 149-17, compliant property operators in Oswego routinely inspect load-bearing elements, foundations, and structural members for signs of settlement, deformation, or deterioration. Operators generally maintain protective treatments—such as waterproofing, pest-control measures, and corrosion-resistant coatings—on vulnerable structural components to prevent the kinds of decay the ordinance specifically identifies. Buildings situated on seasonally water-bearing soil typically require ongoing drainage management and waterproofing systems to prevent moisture from reaching habitable areas, basements, and cellars.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 149-17 gives Oswego tenants a basis to raise concerns when a building shows signs of structural compromise, such as visible settling, deformation, or water intrusion into living spaces, basements, or cellars. Tenants who observe these conditions can document them and report them to the appropriate Oswego code enforcement authority, which has the power to inspect and require corrective action. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how ch. 149 § 149-17 may apply to conditions in their building and what local complaint or inspection processes are 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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