Schenectady, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 167 § 167-3
Scope
Operative Text
A. This chapter shall apply to the following: (1) Lots, plots or parcels of land which are vacant or upon which buildings used for dwellings, mixed occupancy, commercial, industrial or storage uses, whether occupied or vacant, are located. (2) Residential buildings, including private dwellings and multiple dwellings, unless specifically excluded. (3) Buildings of mixed occupancy, occupied in whole or in part. (4) Commercial, industrial and storage buildings. (5) Vacant residential, mixed-occupancy, commercial, industrial and storage buildings. (6) Residential, mixed-occupancy, commercial, industrial and storage buildings which are under construction or demolition, including buildings not completed, to the extent that a nuisance or practice exists or is being carried out which is a disturbance to the public health, safety or welfare. (7) Accessory structures, accessory to dwellings, commercial, industrial or vacant buildings. B. This chapter shall exclude institutional buildings and public buildings and their accompanying yards.
Section 167-3 of Schenectady's Code of Ordinances Chapter 167 defines the broad reach of the chapter's property maintenance and nuisance rules. The chapter covers nearly every category of land and building in the city — vacant lots, residential dwellings (both single-family and multi-unit), mixed-use buildings, commercial and industrial structures, buildings under construction or demolition, and accessory structures — whether those properties are occupied or vacant. The only properties explicitly carved out from coverage are institutional buildings, public buildings, and their associated yards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 167-3, property owners and managers operating in Schenectady should understand that Chapter 167's requirements extend to virtually all private property types they are likely to own or manage, including vacant land, residential rentals, mixed-use buildings, and accessory structures. Compliant operators generally ensure that all covered properties — even those sitting vacant or undergoing construction — are maintained in a manner that does not create nuisances or threaten public health, safety, or welfare. Because the scope defined in § 167-3 is intentionally broad, operators typically apply the chapter's standards across their entire portfolio rather than assuming a particular property type is exempt.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 167-3 establishes that the protections and standards in Chapter 167 apply to the residential buildings where tenants live, including private dwellings and multiple dwellings, as well as mixed-use buildings. Tenants who believe their building or its grounds fall short of the standards set out elsewhere in Chapter 167 can reference § 167-3 to confirm that their property type is covered. General enforcement paths available to tenants may include filing a complaint with Schenectady's code enforcement office or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on next steps.
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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