Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-63
Vacation of unfit dwelling
Operative Text
Any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit designated as unfit for human habitation pursuant to Section 12-60 and ordered vacated as provided in Section 12-62 shall be vacated within such reasonable time as the Building Inspector may specify in his order. In the event that the owner, agent, operator or occupant fails to vacate the premises within such reasonable time, the Building Inspector may institute a special proceeding, pursuant to the Multiple Residence Law of the State of New York, to cause such building to be vacated and imposing the costs of executing said order to vacate as a lien upon the premises.
Under Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-63, when a dwelling or rooming unit has been officially designated unfit for human habitation and ordered vacated, all occupants must leave within the timeframe set by the Building Inspector's order. If anyone with an interest in the property—whether owner, agent, operator, or occupant—fails to comply in time, the Building Inspector is authorized to initiate a special legal proceeding under New York State's Multiple Residence Law to compel the vacation. Any costs incurred in carrying out that forced vacation can be placed as a lien against the property itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to ch. 12 § 12-63 generally ensure that once a vacation order is issued by the Building Inspector, all occupants are notified promptly and the premises are cleared within the specified timeframe. Compliant operators typically document their efforts to coordinate the vacation and communicate with the Building Inspector's office throughout the process. Failure to act within the allotted time can expose the property to a court-ordered forced vacation and result in enforcement costs being recorded as a lien on the property title.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under ch. 12 § 12-63, tenants who receive a vacation order have a right to know the specific deadline set by the Building Inspector, and that deadline must be 'reasonable' as defined by the order. If you are displaced by a vacation order, local tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help you understand what relocation resources or protections may be available under New York State law. Tenants may also wish to review the underlying designation under Section 12-60 and the original order under Section 12-62 to understand the basis for the vacation and any avenues for raising concerns about the process.
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.