Potsdam, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 219 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 219-3
Standards for grounds and exterior property
Operative Text
It shall be the responsibility of all owners, their delegated agents, tenants, or occupants of their property within the Town and it is their respective duty to adopt the following practices: A. That all grounds and exterior property are kept clean and free of solid waste. B. Solid waste, other than garbage stored in proper containers described in the preceding section, is not stored in the public view, except construction and demolition debris related to an ongoing construction project with a valid building permit may be stored in the public view for no more than 30 days or by special use by the Code Enforcement Official. Residents may place reusable materials on the front lawn for purposes of informal scavenging, to not be in public view for more than two successive days. C. Strong, waterproof plastic bags may be used to place garbage at the roadside on the day of collection. D. All premises and immediate exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds in excess of 10 inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. (1) Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of notice of violation, he or she shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with § 219-17 . Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, any duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and cut and destroy the weeds growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property. E. Motor vehicles. (1) Except as provided for in state statute or other municipal or state regulations, two or more inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicles shall not be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. (2) Painting of vehicles is prohibited unless conducted inside an approved spray booth. (a) Exception: A vehicle of any type is permitted to undergo major overhaul, including bodywork, provided that such work is performed inside a structure or similarly enclosed area designed and approved for such purposes.
Potsdam, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 219 § 219-3 establishes shared cleanliness and maintenance responsibilities for property owners, agents, tenants, and occupants within the Town of Potsdam. Grounds and exterior areas must be kept free of solid waste, weeds taller than 10 inches, and noxious weeds, while solid waste generally must be kept out of public view except under specific, time-limited circumstances. Motor vehicle storage is also regulated, prohibiting two or more inoperative or unlicensed vehicles on a property and restricting bodywork or painting to enclosed, approved structures.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 219-3, property owners and their delegated agents are expected to maintain grounds free of solid waste and ensure weeds do not exceed 10 inches in height. Compliant operators typically establish regular exterior maintenance schedules, ensure garbage is stored in proper containers or placed roadside only on collection day, and limit any construction debris in public view to the 30-day maximum allowed. Owners should also ensure that any motor vehicles on the premises are operable and licensed, and that vehicle repair or painting work takes place only within approved enclosed structures.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 219-3 places exterior maintenance duties on tenants and occupants as well as owners, meaning tenants share responsibility for keeping grounds clean, managing solid waste properly, and avoiding prohibited vehicle storage or repair activities on the premises. Tenants who receive a notice of violation related to this provision may wish to review their lease to understand how maintenance responsibilities are allocated between themselves and the property owner. Tenant-rights organizations in New York can help clarify how shared-responsibility provisions like § 219-3 interact with lease terms and local enforcement practices.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation