Port Jervis, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 319 § 319-13
Duties of enforcement officer
Operative Text
A. Inspections. Upon the personal knowledge by the enforcement officer of any violations of the provisions of this chapter or upon a written or verbal complaint, filed with the enforcement officer, of the violation of any provisions of this chapter, or, in the course of an area survey, the enforcement officer or his duly authorized representative is hereby authorized, upon showing proper identification, to enter, examine and survey at any reasonable time all dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units and premises located within the City. B. Right of entry. The occupant of every dwelling, dwelling unit or rooming unit, or the person in charge thereof, shall give the enforcement officer or his representative free access to such unit and premises at all reasonable times for the purpose of such inspection, examination and survey. C. Adoption of rules and regulations. The enforcement officer is hereby authorized to make and adopt, upon approval of the Common Council, such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the clarification and proper enforcement of the provisions of this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the provisions of this chapter. A certified copy of such rules and regulations shall be filed with the City Clerk-Treasurer and shall have the same force and effect as the provisions of this chapter, and the penalty for violation thereof shall be the same as for violation of the provisions of this chapter.
Port Jervis Code § 319-13 establishes the authority and procedures for the city's enforcement officer to inspect residential properties—including dwellings, dwelling units, and rooming houses—within city limits. Inspections may be triggered by the officer's own observations, written or verbal complaints, or area-wide surveys, and must occur at reasonable times after the officer shows proper identification. The section also empowers the enforcement officer, with Common Council approval, to adopt supplemental rules and regulations that carry the same legal weight as the chapter itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 319-13, property owners and managers operating dwellings, dwelling units, or rooming houses in Port Jervis should be prepared to provide the enforcement officer or an authorized representative with reasonable access to units and premises when an inspection is requested. Compliant operators typically ensure that access can be arranged at reasonable times and that any supplemental rules adopted under this section are incorporated into their property management practices. Staying current with any rules and regulations approved by the Common Council and filed with the City Clerk-Treasurer is a standard part of maintaining compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 319-13 gives Port Jervis's enforcement officer the authority to investigate housing conditions based on complaints—including verbal ones—meaning tenants who observe code violations in their dwelling or rooming unit have a recognized path to trigger an official inspection. Occupants are required by this provision to allow the officer reasonable access, but the inspection process is also a mechanism through which tenant concerns about housing conditions can be formally addressed. Tenants who want to understand their rights in connection with a complaint or inspection may find it useful to contact a local tenant-rights organization or review the rules and regulations filed with the City Clerk-Treasurer under this section.
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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