Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-173
Discontinuance of utilities
Operative Text
No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required to be supplied by the provisions of this code to be removed from, shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling unit, except for necessary repairs, alterations or emergencies.
Section 12-173 of Poughkeepsie's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12, prohibits any owner, operator, or occupant from removing, shutting off, or discontinuing a required service, facility, equipment, or utility in an occupied dwelling unit. The only recognized exceptions are necessary repairs, alterations, or emergencies. This rule is designed to ensure that residents of occupied units are not deprived of essential services that the housing code mandates be provided.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 12-173 of Poughkeepsie's Code of Ordinances ch. 12, compliant property owners and operators maintain all code-required services, facilities, equipment, and utilities in occupied units without interruption. When a temporary shutoff is unavoidable, operators generally document that it falls within a recognized exception—necessary repairs, alterations, or an emergency—and restore service promptly. Proactive communication with tenants about any planned interruptions and keeping records of the reason and duration are practices commonly associated with compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-173 of Poughkeepsie's Code of Ordinances ch. 12 establishes that tenants in occupied dwelling units have a right to continued access to all services, facilities, equipment, and utilities that the housing code requires to be supplied. If a required utility or service is cut off outside of a legitimate repair, alteration, or emergency situation, that discontinuance may constitute a code violation that can be reported to the City of Poughkeepsie's code enforcement office. Tenants may also wish to document the interruption in writing and consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand the range of options available under this provision.
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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