Rensselaer, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 121 § 121-38
Infestation; screening
Operative Text
A. Grounds, buildings and structures shall be maintained free of insect, vermin and rodent harborage and infestation. Methods used for exterminating insects, vermin and rodents shall conform to generally accepted practice. B. Where the potential for rodent or vermin infestation exists, windows and other openings in basements and cellars shall be appropriately screened with wire mesh or other suitable materials. C. From May 1 to October 1, entrances to residential buildings shall be provided with self-closing-type devices or screens, and windows and other openings used for ventilation shall be appropriately screened. Screens shall not be required in rooms located sufficiently high in the upper stories of multiple dwellings as to be free of mosquitoes, flies and other flying insects.
Rensselaer, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 121 § 121-38 establishes that all grounds, buildings, and structures must be kept free of insects, vermin, and rodents, with extermination methods following accepted standards. Basement and cellar openings must be screened with wire mesh or similar materials wherever rodent or vermin entry is a risk. Between May 1 and October 1, residential building entrances must have self-closing devices or screens, and ventilation openings must be screened, though upper-story rooms high enough to be naturally free of flying insects are exempt from the window-screen requirement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Rensselaer are generally expected to maintain ongoing pest-prevention programs that keep grounds and structures free of infestation as required by § 121-38. Compliant property managers typically inspect basement and cellar openings for gaps and install wire mesh or equivalent screening wherever rodent or vermin entry is plausible. Each spring before May 1, operators commonly verify that all building entrances have functioning self-closing mechanisms or screens and that ventilation openings are properly screened, documenting these measures as part of routine maintenance records.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 121-38 of the Rensselaer Code of Ordinances, tenants have a right to live in housing that is free from insect, vermin, and rodent infestation, with properly screened openings during the warmer months. If a rental unit or common area shows signs of infestation or lacks required screening, tenants may report the condition to the appropriate local code enforcement or housing inspection office in Rensselaer. Tenants can also consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand how a landlord's failure to comply with § 121-38 might be raised as part of a housing complaint or other enforcement 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.
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