Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 245-143
Insects, vermin and rodents
Operative Text
A. The interior of every residential building shall be free from insect, vermin and rodent infestation. Where infestation, harborage or breeding areas of said pests exists, such areas, harborage or infestation shall be eliminated. B. If a residential building, accessory structure or the adjoining outdoor premises are found by the Building Inspector to be infested with such pests, a notice shall be served upon such owner to correct such infestation. The owner, being so notified, shall take immediate and necessary measures to remedy the condition. C. Removal, damaging or destroying of ratproofing measures is prohibited. No person shall remove, damage or destroy any part of any building, structure or other appurtenance of improved real estate premises which is intended to protect such premises against ingress of rodents, nor in any way create a condition by which ingress for rodents is made possible. This subsection shall not apply where the interference with such ratproofing is made necessary in connection with lawful construction. Ratproofing so affected or destroyed shall be promptly restored. D. In every residential building in which there is evidence of mouse infestation in any part thereof, the owner or occupant shall immediately trap, exterminate or employ other appropriate measures necessary to free the building of such infestation. E. The owner shall be responsible for extermination of insects, vermin and rodents whenever such infestation occurs in one dwelling unit of a two-family house or of a multiple dwelling if such infestation is caused by failure of the owner or operator to maintain such building in a rodentproof and reasonably insect- and verminproof condition, or in two or more dwelling units of a two-family house or of a multiple dwelling, or in the public or shared areas of such dwellings. F. The occupant shall be responsible for the extermination of insects, vermin or rodents whenever such infestation occurs in a one-family house that she/he occupies or in a dwelling unit of a two-family house or of a multiple dwelling that she/he occupies, if such dwelling unit is the only one infested and if such infestation is due to conditions created by said occupant. G. No person shall use in any residential building or accessory structure a fumigant or a liquid, solid or powdered insecticide or rodenticide for the destruction or control of insects, vermin, rodents or other pests in such a manner as to cause a nuisance or endanger the health or safety of the occupant, nor shall anyone engage in the business of fumigation or extermination in Sleepy Hollow without a license issued by the New York State Department of Health. H. Notification of fumigation is required. No person shall fumigate in any residential building without first giving 24 hours' notice of such fumigation to the Department, the Fire Department and the Police Department. Notification shall include the location of the building or enclosed space to be fumigated, as well as its character and use, the type of fumigant, the date and time when such fumigation will be performed and the approximate time of completion. I. Premises must be vacant prior to and during fumigation. No residential building or enclosed space shall be occupied by persons during the period of fumigation, and all necessary precautions and examinations shall be taken previous to such fumigation to assure that no person remains therein and also that all necessary precautions have been taken to safeguard the lives and health of all persons occupying buildings adjoining that in which the fumigation is to be performed. J. No person shall use any rodenticide or insecticide which is poisonous to human life without having first given 24 hours' notice to the Department of such use. K. Notification of construction or demolition is required. No person, concern, company, corporation, etc., shall engage in the construction or demolition of any residential building within Sleepy Hollow without first prebaiting for rodent control at least two weeks before starting actual work and so notifying the Department in writing.
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 § 245-143 establishes that all residential buildings must be kept free of insects, vermin, and rodents, and that infestations must be eliminated when found. Responsibility for extermination shifts between owners and occupants depending on the type of dwelling and the source of the infestation. The provision also sets strict procedural requirements around fumigation — including mandatory 24-hour advance notice to multiple municipal departments, building vacancy during fumigation, and licensing for professional exterminators — as well as pre-baiting requirements before any construction or demolition begins.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 245-143, property owners and operators of two-family and multiple dwellings are generally responsible for extermination when infestation affects more than one unit, shared or public areas, or when the condition stems from a failure to maintain the building in a rodentproof and reasonably insect- and verminproof state. Compliant operators typically respond promptly to Building Inspector notices, arrange licensed extermination services, preserve and restore any ratproofing measures, and ensure that fumigation is preceded by the required 24-hour notice to the relevant municipal departments and that the building is vacated during the process. Owners planning construction or demolition on residential properties in Sleepy Hollow are also expected to begin rodent pre-baiting at least two weeks before work starts and to notify the Department in writing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 245-143 gives occupants a clear framework for understanding when pest-control responsibility may fall on them versus their landlord — for instance, a tenant in a multi-unit building may bear responsibility only if their unit is the sole infested one and the infestation resulted from conditions they created. Tenants who believe an owner is failing to address an infestation that falls under owner responsibility may raise that failure as a potential code violation, including by contacting the Sleepy Hollow Building Department, which has authority to issue notices to owners under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand how § 245-143 applies to their circumstances and what complaint or defense options may be available.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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