Oswego, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-73
Responsibilities of occupants
Operative Text
Occupants of dwelling units shall be responsible for compliance with the housing standards in regard to the following: A. Limiting occupancy of that part of the premises which he occupies or controls to the maximum permitted by the housing standards. B. Maintenance of that part of the premises which he occupies or controls in a clean, sanitary and safe condition. C. Maintenance of all plumbing, cooking and refrigeration fixtures and appliances, as well as other building equipment and storage facilities in that part of the premises which he occupies or controls, in a clean and sanitary condition, and providing reasonable care in the operation and use thereof. D. Keeping exits from his dwelling unit clear and unencumbered. E. Disposal of garbage and refuse into provided facilities in a clean and sanitary manner. F. Extermination of insects, rodents or other pests within his dwelling unit if his unit is the only one infested in the premises. G. Hanging and removing required screens.
Section 149-73 of Oswego's Code of Ordinances places a set of housing-standard responsibilities directly on the people who live in a dwelling unit, rather than solely on the property owner. These responsibilities cover keeping the occupied space clean, safe, and within permitted occupancy limits; maintaining plumbing, cooking, and refrigeration equipment properly; keeping exits clear; disposing of garbage properly; handling pest extermination when only their unit is affected; and managing required window screens. The provision draws a clear line: tenants bear accountability for conditions within the space they occupy and control.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 149-73, a compliant property operator generally documents the condition of each unit at move-in and move-out to establish a clear record of which party is responsible for specific conditions. Operators typically ensure that garbage disposal facilities are provided and that required screens are supplied, since the ordinance places the duty of hanging and removing them on occupants once provided. Landlords also commonly track pest complaints across all units, because the occupant's extermination duty under § 149-73 applies only when a single unit is infested — multi-unit infestations may shift responsibility back to the owner.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 149-73 establishes that tenants in Oswego are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, safety, and sanitary condition of the space they occupy and control, including keeping exits unobstructed and disposing of refuse properly. Tenants should be aware that pest extermination is their responsibility under this provision only if their unit is the sole infested unit in the building — if other units are also affected, the obligation may not rest with them alone. Tenants who believe a landlord is improperly attributing a code violation to them under § 149-73 may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the full Oswego Code of Ordinances to understand how responsibilities are allocated between occupants and owners.
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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