Oswego, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-9
Occupancy classification of buildings
Operative Text
Buildings, for the purpose of this Part 1 , shall be classified in respect to their occupancies as follows: A. One- and-two family dwellings. (1) Buildings containing one or two dwelling units with less than four lodgers residing with a family in either one of such dwelling units. B. Multiple residences. (1) Buildings containing one or two dwelling units with more than four lodgers with a family in either one of such dwelling units. (2) Buildings containing three or more dwelling units. (3) Apartment houses and apartment hotels. (4) Lodging houses. (5) Buildings with sleeping accommodations for more than five persons used or occupied as a club, dormitory, fraternity or sorority house or for similar uses; garden apartments. C. Accessory structures. Garages, carports and similar type structures on residential premises.
Section 149-9 of Oswego's Code of Ordinances (ch. 149) establishes how residential buildings are sorted into occupancy categories for regulatory purposes. Single- and two-family homes with fewer than four lodgers living with a family fall into one class, while buildings with more units, more lodgers, apartment houses, lodging houses, dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and similar group-living arrangements fall into the 'multiple residences' class. Detached garages, carports, and similar structures on residential property form a separate accessory-structure category. The classification a building receives determines which set of housing rules applies to it.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers in Oswego should confirm which occupancy class applies to each building they operate under ch. 149 § 149-9, because that classification governs the regulatory requirements the property must meet. A one- or two-unit building tips from the simpler 'one-and-two family' class into the 'multiple residences' class if more than four lodgers reside with a family in a unit, so operators who rent rooms should track lodger counts carefully. Buildings with three or more units, apartment houses, lodging houses, and group-living facilities such as dormitories or fraternity houses are automatically treated as multiple residences, which generally carries a broader set of compliance obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Oswego Code ch. 149 § 149-9, the occupancy class assigned to your building determines which local housing standards and protections apply to your living situation. If you believe your building has been misclassified — for example, if a multi-unit building is being treated as a single-family home to avoid multiple-residence requirements — that classification may be relevant to any housing complaint or code-enforcement inquiry you pursue with the City of Oswego. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Oswego's housing code can help you understand what obligations apply to your building's correct occupancy class.
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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