Rensselaer, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 121 § 121-86
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
A. Any person who shall knowingly and willfully violate or assist in the violation of this code or fails to comply with a violation order issued by the Building Department within the time stated thereon shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense and $1,000 for the third offense or imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or both, for each offense. B. Each day after conviction that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. The term "person," as used in this section, shall include the owner, occupant, mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, agent or any other person, firm or corporation directly or indirectly in control of a building or part thereof.
Section 121-86 of Rensselaer's Code of Ordinances establishes a graduated penalty structure for knowing and willful violations of the city's building code or failure to comply with a Building Department violation order. Fines escalate from a maximum of $250 for a first offense, to $500 for a second, and up to $1,000 for a third, with the possibility of up to 15 days of imprisonment, or both, for each offense. Critically, every day a violation continues after conviction counts as a separate offense, and the rule applies broadly to any person or entity with control over a building, including owners, tenants, lenders, and agents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 121-86, property owners and managers are expected to address any building code deficiency and comply with Building Department violation orders within the timeframe specified on the order. Because each day following conviction that a violation persists is treated as a new offense, operators generally prioritize prompt remediation to avoid compounding fines that can reach $1,000 per offense. The provision's broad definition of 'person' means that not only owners but also agents, lessees, and others in control of a building can be held accountable, so compliance responsibilities should be clearly assigned across management teams.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants should be aware that § 121-86 places legal responsibility for building code compliance on a wide range of parties—including owners, agents, and others in control of a property—not just the named landlord. If a tenant believes a building code violation exists, they may report it to the Rensselaer Building Department, which has authority to issue violation orders and pursue penalties under this section. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand how this provision may relate to habitability concerns or other housing issues they are experiencing.
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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