Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 245-20
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 groundwater and surface water will not penetrate into habitable spaces, basements and cellars.
Section 245-20 of Sleepy Hollow's Code of Ordinances establishes baseline structural and moisture-protection standards for all buildings. Every building must be capable of safely bearing its own weight and any imposed loads, transmitting those forces to the ground without unsafe settling or movement. Structural members must be shielded from deterioration caused by factors such as freezing, dampness, corrosion, and insects, and buildings on water-bearing soil must be kept free of groundwater and surface-water intrusion in habitable spaces, basements, and cellars.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 245-20, compliant property operators routinely inspect load-bearing elements, foundations, and structural members for signs of settlement, deformation, corrosion, moisture damage, or pest activity. Operators generally maintain protective treatments—such as waterproofing, pest-control measures, and corrosion-resistant coatings—on any structural components vulnerable to the deterioration causes listed in the provision. Properties situated on seasonally water-bearing soil typically require ongoing drainage and waterproofing systems to prevent groundwater from reaching habitable areas, basements, and cellars.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 245-20 gives occupants a basis to raise concerns when a building shows signs of structural compromise, excessive settlement, or water intrusion into living spaces, basements, or cellars. Tenants who observe cracked or shifting foundations, pest-related structural damage, or persistent moisture penetration may document those conditions and report them to Sleepy Hollow's local code-enforcement or building department. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how a violation of § 245-20 might be raised in housing proceedings or used to support a complaint with the appropriate local authority.
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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