Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-13
Responsibilities of occupants
Operative Text
Each occupant shall comply with all requirements imposed by applicable provisions of all city, county and state codes, regulations, ordinances and statutes, including, but not limited to those relating to the following: (a) Limiting occupancy of that part of the premises which the occupant occupies or controls to the maximum permitted by this Code and other applicable regulations. (b) Maintaining that part of the premises which the occupant occupies or controls in a clean, sanitary and safe condition. (c) Maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition all plumbing, cooking and refrigeration fixtures and appliances as well as other building equipment and storage facilities in that part of the premises which the occupant occupies or controls, and providing reasonable care in the operation and use thereof. (d) Keeping exits from the occupant's unit clear and unencumbered. (e) Place all rubbish, garbage and other organic or flammable waste, in a clean and sanitary manner in the facilities provided. (Facilities in one-family and two-family units will be provided by tenants.) (f) Exterminating of insects, rodents or other pests, except rodents, within the unit if the occupant's unit is the only one infested in the premises. (g) Keeping and controlling the occupant's domestic animals and pets in an appropriate and lawful manner. (h) Not permitting any person on the premises with his permission to willfully or wantonly destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the structure or unit or the facilities, equipment or appurtenance thereto, nor himself do any such thing.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 2 § 27-13 establishes a set of baseline responsibilities that every occupant of a dwelling must meet, regardless of whether they rent or own. These duties cover a broad range of day-to-day conduct, including keeping occupied spaces clean and safe, maintaining plumbing and appliances properly, keeping exits clear, disposing of waste appropriately, controlling pets, and preventing willful damage to the property. The provision also places pest extermination responsibility on the occupant when only their unit is affected, and limits occupancy to the maximum number permitted by applicable codes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 2 § 27-13, operators of rental properties generally document the occupant-side obligations in lease agreements so that tenants are on clear notice of their responsibilities from the outset. Compliant property managers typically retain records of unit conditions at move-in and move-out, which can help establish whether any damage or sanitation issues arose from occupant conduct rather than deferred maintenance. When a violation is observed, operators commonly issue written notices referencing the specific subsection of § 27-13 that applies before escalating to formal code-enforcement channels.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 2 § 27-13 outlines the affirmative duties that occupants are expected to fulfill, but it does not eliminate a landlord's independent obligations under the same code. Tenants who believe a landlord is attempting to shift responsibilities that properly belong to the owner — such as structural repairs or building-wide pest infestations — may find it useful to review the full chapter and consult a local tenant-rights organization for context. If a code-enforcement complaint or housing court proceeding arises, the specific subsections of § 27-13 at issue can be raised to clarify which party bears responsibility for the condition in question.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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