Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-77
Discharge of sewage
Operative Text
Sewage must be discharged into a public sewer system except as provided in Section 12-119 . Discharge of inadequately treated sewage shall not be permitted upon the surface of the ground or into natural or artificial surface drainageways.
Under Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-77, sewage from a property must be directed into the public sewer system, with a limited exception outlined in Section 12-119. Releasing inadequately treated sewage onto the ground surface or into any drainage channel—whether natural or man-made—is expressly prohibited. This rule applies regardless of whether the drainage pathway is a stream, ditch, or engineered conveyance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under ch. 12 § 12-77 are generally expected to ensure that all sewage from their buildings is connected to and discharged through the public sewer system. Compliant operators routinely inspect plumbing connections to confirm no sewage is being routed to the ground surface or surface drainageways, and they verify that any alternative disposal method qualifies under the Section 12-119 exception before relying on it. Maintaining documentation of sewer connections and any permitted exceptions is a common practice among operators seeking to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-77 of Poughkeepsie's Code of Ordinances gives tenants a basis to raise concerns if sewage from their building appears to be discharged onto the ground or into drainage channels rather than the public sewer system. Tenants who observe such conditions may report them to the appropriate Poughkeepsie municipal code enforcement or public works authority, or consult a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options. Documenting the condition with photographs and written records is a common step tenants take when preparing to raise a potential violation.
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.