Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-3
Purpose of chapter
Operative Text
The purpose of this Chapter is to protect the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the people of the city by establishing minimum standards governing the condition, occupancy and maintenance of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units and premises; establishing minimum standards governing utensils, facilities and other physical components and conditions essential to make dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units and premises safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation; fixing certain responsibilities and duties of owners, operators, agents and occupants of dwellings and dwelling units, rooming houses and rooming units; authorizing and establishing procedures for the inspection of dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses and rooming units and the condemnation and vacation of those dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses and rooming units unfit for human habitation; and fixing penalties for the violations of the provisions of this Chapter. This Chapter is hereby declared to be remedial and essential to the public interest, and it is intended that this Chapter be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes as stated above.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-3 establishes the overarching purpose of the city's housing maintenance code, which is to protect public health, safety, morals, and welfare. The chapter sets minimum standards for the physical condition and occupancy of dwellings, rooming houses, and related premises, and assigns responsibilities to owners, operators, agents, and occupants. It also authorizes inspection procedures, allows for the condemnation of units unfit for human habitation, and provides for penalties when its provisions are violated.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 12 § 12-3, the chapter is explicitly declared remedial and is to be interpreted broadly, meaning compliance obligations for owners, operators, and agents are construed in favor of protecting occupants. Compliant property operators generally maintain their dwellings, dwelling units, and rooming houses at or above the minimum standards the chapter establishes for safety, sanitation, and habitability. Operators who understand this foundational purpose are better positioned to anticipate how inspections, condemnation proceedings, and penalty provisions elsewhere in the chapter may be applied.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-3 of Poughkeepsie's housing code signals that the entire chapter is designed to be read broadly in favor of protecting residents' health, safety, and welfare. Tenants living in dwellings or rooming units that may fall below minimum habitability standards can point to this provision's stated purpose when raising concerns with city inspectors or in any proceeding under the chapter. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Poughkeepsie's code can help residents understand how the inspection and condemnation procedures authorized by ch. 12 § 12-3 may apply to their situation.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.