Rensselaer, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 121 § 121-16
General requirements
Operative Text
A. Buildings and parts thereof shall be maintained so as to be capable of sustaining safely their own weight and the loads to which they may be subject. B. Buildings shall be maintained so that loads are transmitted to the soil without undue differential settlement, unsafe deformation or movement of the building or of any structural part. C. Buildings shall be maintained so that protection is provided for all structural members which may become structurally unsound if left unprotected. Causes of such deterioration include, among others, action of freezing and thawing, dampness, corrosion, wetting and drying and termites and other destructive insects. D. Buildings built in soil which is water-bearing at any season of the year shall be maintained so that ground- and surface water will not penetrate into habitable spaces, basements and cellars. E. No structural changes, such as alterations, additions and improvements, shall be undertaken unless a permit is given permitting same and reviewed for the City of Rensselaer by the Commissioner or Director of Buildings. The owner, contractor or representative of the property owner shall file an application for a certificate of compliance at the same time as the application for a building permit, and the property shall not be occupied until a final inspection has been made and a certificate of occupancy has been issued.
Section 121-16 of the Rensselaer Code of Ordinances establishes baseline structural maintenance standards for all buildings in the city. Buildings must be kept structurally sound enough to bear their own weight and imposed loads, with foundations that transfer those loads to the ground safely and without harmful settlement or movement. Structural members must be protected from deterioration caused by moisture, freezing, corrosion, and pests such as termites, and buildings on water-bearing soil must prevent groundwater from entering habitable spaces, basements, and cellars. Any structural changes—including alterations, additions, or improvements—require a building permit reviewed by the Commissioner or Director of Buildings, and a certificate of occupancy must be issued before the property may be occupied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Rensselaer Code ch. 121 § 121-16 generally keep their buildings in a condition that can safely support structural loads, maintain sound foundations, and protect structural members from moisture, frost, corrosion, and pest damage. For buildings on water-bearing soil, compliant operators take measures to prevent groundwater intrusion into habitable areas, basements, and cellars. Before undertaking any structural alteration, addition, or improvement, a compliant owner files both a building permit application and an application for a certificate of compliance with the Commissioner or Director of Buildings, and ensures a final inspection and certificate of occupancy are obtained before the property is reoccupied.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Rensselaer Code ch. 121 § 121-16, tenants have an interest in knowing that their building must be structurally maintained to safely bear loads, resist moisture and pest-related deterioration, and—where applicable—keep groundwater out of living spaces. If a tenant observes conditions suggesting structural failure, water intrusion, or evidence that structural work was done without the required permits or certificate of occupancy, those concerns can generally be reported to the City of Rensselaer's Commissioner or Director of Buildings, who is the reviewing authority under this provision. Tenants may also wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand how documented code violations under § 121-16 might relate to habitability standards or other available remedies.
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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