Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-119
Connection of plumbing fixtures to sewer lines
Operative Text
(a) All plumbing fixtures installed within a structure used for human habitation shall be connected to sewer lines that discharge into a public sewerage system or other approved means of disposal. (b) Plumbing fixtures not connected to a public sewerage system shall be connected to an approved sewage disposal system. Such private sewage disposal systems shall be constructed and repairs or additions made in accordance with applicable regulations of the city. (c) No sewage from a plumbing system shall be discharged into the waters of the state unless specially approved by the authority having jurisdiction in accordance with Article 12 of the New York State Public Health Law.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-119 establishes that every plumbing fixture in a residential structure must be connected to either the public sewer system or an officially approved private sewage disposal system. Private systems must be built and maintained according to applicable city regulations. Additionally, no sewage may be discharged into New York State waters unless specifically authorized under Article 12 of the New York State Public Health Law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 12 § 12-119, compliant residential property operators ensure that every plumbing fixture in their buildings ties into either the municipal sewer system or a city-approved private disposal system. Operators who rely on private systems keep those systems constructed and maintained in conformance with applicable city regulations. Any situation involving potential discharge into state waters requires specific approval from the authority having jurisdiction under Article 12 of the New York State Public Health Law before proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-119 of the Poughkeepsie Code of Ordinances gives tenants a basis to expect that all plumbing fixtures in their residence are properly connected to an approved sewage system — whether public or private. If a tenant observes sewage that appears to be improperly discharged or fixtures that seem unconnected to any approved system, they may consider reporting the condition to the appropriate city code enforcement or housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Poughkeepsie housing code can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what local complaint processes may be available.
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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