Port Jervis, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 319 § 319-12
Responsibilities of occupants and owners
Operative Text
A. Occupants. Occupants of dwellings shall have the following responsibilities: (1) To keep the dwelling and premises the occupant occupies in a clean and sanitary condition. (2) To dispose of rubbish and garbage in a clean and sanitary manner as prescribed by City regulation. (3) To hang and remove screens provided by the owner except where the owner has agreed to supply such services. (4) To keep plumbing fixtures in a clean and sanitary condition and to exercise all reasonable care in their proper use and operation. (5) To exterminate insects, rodents or other pests in the case of an occupant of a single-family dwelling or occupant of a dwelling unit in a multiple-unit structure where that dwelling unit is the only one infested. B. Owners. Owners of dwellings shall have the following responsibilities: (1) To let no dwelling or room to anyone for occupancy unless it meets the minimum standards set forth in this chapter. (2) To have the dwelling unit or room in a clean, sanitary and habitable condition; to free from infestation before renting; and to clean, repair and exterminate if needed to meet the requirements of this chapter before offering for rent. (3) To provide screens in accordance with § 319-10A . (4) To exterminate insects, rodents or other pests if infestation exists in two or more units of a multiple-unit structure, where infestation exists in shared or public areas of multiple-unit structures and where infestation exists in a single unit of a multiple-unit structure or in a single-family structure when infestation is due to failure of the owner to maintain the dwelling in a rodentproof and reasonably insectproof condition. (5) Surface and subsurface water shall be appropriately drained to protect buildings and structures and to prevent development of stagnant ponds. Gutters, culverts, catch basins, drain inlets, stormwater sewers, approved combined storm and sanitary sewers or other satisfactory drainage systems shall be utilized where deemed necessary. (6) Fences and other minor constructions shall be maintained in safe and substantial condition. (7) Steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas shall be maintained so as to afford safe passage under normal use and weather conditions. (8) Yards and courts shall be kept clean and free of physical hazards. (9) Heavy undergrowths and accumulations of plant growth which are noxious or detrimental to health shall be eliminated. (10) Exterior wood surfaces of buildings and structures that are not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be periodically treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative. (11) Floors, walls, ceilings, furnishings and fixtures of residential buildings shall be maintained in clean and sanitary condition. (12) Accessory structures shall be maintained so as to be free of conditions detrimental to safety or health. (13) Grounds, buildings and structures shall be maintained free of insect, vermin and rodent harborage and infestation. Methods used for exterminating insects, vermin and rodents shall conform to generally accepted practice. (14) Where the potential for rodent or vermin infestation exists, windows and other openings in basements and cellars shall be appropriately screened with wire mesh or other suitable materials. (15) From May 1 to October 1, entrances to residential buildings shall be provided with self-closing-type devices or screens, and windows and other openings used for ventilation shall be appropriately screened. Screens shall not be required in rooms located sufficiently high in the upper stories of multiple dwellings as to be free of mosquitoes, flies and other flying insects. C. Owners of premises shall be responsible for compliance with this chapter and shall remain responsible therefor regardless of the fact that this section may also place certain responsibilities on operators and occupants and regardless of any agreements between owners and operators or occupants as to which party shall assume such responsibility.
Port Jervis, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 319 § 319-12 divides housing maintenance responsibilities between occupants and owners of dwellings. Occupants are generally responsible for keeping their own unit clean, disposing of waste properly, caring for plumbing fixtures, and handling pest control when only their unit is affected. Owners carry broader obligations—including ensuring units are habitable and pest-free before renting, maintaining exterior structures, drainage, grounds, and common areas, and providing screens and pest control when infestations spread across multiple units or common spaces. Critically, owners remain legally responsible for compliance with the chapter regardless of any private agreement that shifts duties to tenants or operators.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 319-12, compliant property operators generally ensure every unit meets the chapter's minimum habitability standards before it is offered for rent, including cleaning, repairs, and extermination as needed. Owners maintain exterior surfaces, fences, walkways, yards, drainage systems, and accessory structures in safe condition, and provide self-closing devices or screens on building entrances from May 1 through October 1. Because § 319-12(C) holds owners responsible for chapter compliance regardless of lease terms, operators typically document maintenance activities and pest-control measures carefully, even when lease agreements assign some duties to tenants.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 319-12 establishes that occupants have defined responsibilities—such as keeping their unit sanitary and handling pest control when only their unit is infested—but it also makes clear that owners bear overarching responsibility for habitability and cannot fully shift that burden through a lease agreement. Tenants who believe an owner is failing to meet obligations under § 319-12, such as addressing multi-unit infestations or maintaining common areas, may consider documenting conditions and contacting the Port Jervis code enforcement office to report potential violations. Tenant-rights organizations can help occupants understand how these responsibilities interact with local housing standards and what options may be available when conditions fall short.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation