Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-22
Administrative liability
Operative Text
No officer, agent or employee of the city shall render himself personally liable for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his duties under this Chapter. Any suit brought against any officer, agent or employee of the city as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his duties under this Chapter shall be defended by the Corporation Counsel in accordance with Section 18 of the Public Officers Law of the State of New York.
Under Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-22, city officers, agents, and employees who carry out duties required or permitted under Chapter 12 are shielded from personal financial liability for any resulting damages to persons or property. If a lawsuit is filed against such a city employee arising from those Chapter 12 duties, the city's Corporation Counsel is responsible for providing their legal defense, consistent with Section 18 of New York's Public Officers Law. This provision defines the legal relationship between the city and its enforcement personnel, not between landlords and tenants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
For property owners and managers subject to Chapter 12 inspections or enforcement actions in Poughkeepsie, § 12-22 clarifies that city inspectors and code-enforcement employees act with institutional backing rather than personal exposure. Compliant operators generally understand that disputes over enforcement actions are directed at the city as an institution, not at individual officers personally. This context can be relevant when evaluating the nature of any formal enforcement interaction under Chapter 12.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-22 establishes that city employees enforcing Chapter 12 housing rules are legally protected from personal liability for their official acts, with the Corporation Counsel obligated to defend them in any resulting lawsuit. Tenants should be aware that this provision governs the city's internal liability structure and does not limit tenants' ability to raise housing-code concerns or pursue complaints through appropriate channels. Tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help tenants understand how Chapter 12 enforcement intersects with their broader housing rights.
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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