Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-74
Infestation and screening
Operative Text
(a) Grounds, buildings and structures shall be maintained free of insect, vermin and rodent harborage and infestation. Methods used for exterminating insects, vermin and rodents shall conform with generally accepted practice. (b) Where the potential for rodent infestation exists, windows and other openings in basements shall be appropriately ratproofed with wire mesh or other suitable materials. (c) From May 1st to November 1st, exterior entrances to residential dwellings and exterior service entrances to commercial buildings where food is processed, manufactured, packaged, stored or prepared for human consumption, shall be provided with screened doors on self-closing hardware or air curtains to prevent flying insects from entering the building. Also, all exterior windows of habitable space and bathrooms in residential dwellings located within twenty-four (24) feet above finished grade shall be provided with screens to prevent flying insects from entering the building. (d) The exterior of every building shall be so maintained as to be vermin and rodent free. Where rodent or vermin problems exist, all exterior windows, doors and other openings, two (2) feet above ground level and below, shall be screened, or protected with acceptable wire mesh or other approved materials. Defects, cracks or holes shall be rightly sealed to prevent the entrance of vermin and rodents.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 7 § 27-74 requires that all grounds, buildings, and structures be kept free of insects, vermin, and rodents, using accepted extermination methods. Basements with rodent-infestation potential must have wire mesh or similar materials on windows and openings. From May 1 through November 1, residential exterior entrances and qualifying commercial entrances must have screened, self-closing doors or air curtains, and residential windows within 24 feet of grade must have screens. The exterior of every building must remain vermin- and rodent-free, with openings two feet above ground and below sealed or screened against entry.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 7 § 27-74, compliant property operators generally maintain a documented pest-control program using accepted extermination methods and keep all grounds and structures free of infestation. Between May 1 and November 1, operators typically ensure that exterior residential entrances are fitted with screened, self-closing doors or air curtains, and that all habitable-space and bathroom windows within 24 feet of finished grade have intact screens. Year-round, operators routinely inspect the building exterior for cracks, holes, and gaps at or below two feet above ground level, sealing defects and installing wire mesh or approved materials wherever rodent or vermin pressure is identified.
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. 7 § 27-74 establishes that tenants in residential dwellings have a right to live in a space maintained free of insect, vermin, and rodent infestation, with proper screening on exterior doors and windows during the warm-weather season. If a landlord fails to meet these standards—such as leaving gaps unsealed, omitting required screens, or not addressing an active infestation—tenants may document the conditions with photographs and written notices to the landlord. Tenants can also report violations to the City of Syracuse Code Enforcement office or consult a local tenant-rights organization to learn about available remedies, including raising the violation as a defense in relevant housing proceedings.
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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