Troy, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-16
Exterior property areas
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling unit or premises, for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements. The Director of Code Enforcement of the City of Troy and/or his/her designee shall cause periodic inspections to be made of dwelling premises to secure compliance with these requirements. A. Sanitation. All exterior property areas shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. B. Grading and drainage. All premises shall be graded and maintained so as to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water thereon or within any building or structure located thereon. C. Weeds. (1) Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of six inches. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include lawn grass, planted ornamental grasses, cultivated flowers and cultivated flower and vegetable gardens. (2) Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of notice of violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with § 176-12 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to comply with the notice of violation, and duly authorized employee of the jurisdiction or contractor hired by the jurisdiction shall be authorized to enter upon the property in violation and cut and destroy the weeds growing thereon, and the costs of such removal shall be paid by the owner or agent responsible for the property. D. Insect and rodent harborage. Every owner of a dwelling or multifamily dwelling shall be responsible for the extermination of insects, rodents, vermin, or other pests in all exterior areas of the premises; except that the occupant shall be responsible for such extermination in the exterior areas of the premises of a single-family dwelling. Whenever infestation exists in the shared or public parts of the premises of other than a single-family dwelling, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner. E. Accessory structures. All accessory structures including detached garages shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair. F. Defacement of property. (1) No person shall willfully or wantonly damage, mutilate or deface any exterior surface of any structure or building on any private or public property by placing thereon any marking, carving or graffiti. (2) It shall be the responsibility of the owner to restore said surface to an approved state of maintenance and repair. (a) Exception: unless approved by the Director of Code Enforcement and the Planning Commission.
Troy, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-16 establishes minimum exterior property standards that must be met before any dwelling unit can be occupied or rented. These standards cover sanitation, drainage, weed control, pest extermination, accessory structure upkeep, and graffiti removal. The Director of Code Enforcement is authorized to conduct periodic inspections to verify compliance, and the city may step in to remedy certain violations—such as overgrown weeds—and bill the responsible party for the cost.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 176-16, compliant property operators keep exterior areas free of garbage, standing water, and weeds taller than six inches, and they promptly address insect or rodent infestations in shared or public areas of multi-family properties. Detached garages and other accessory structures must be kept structurally sound, and any graffiti on exterior surfaces must be restored to an approved condition unless the Director of Code Enforcement and the Planning Commission grant an exception. Operators who receive a notice of violation for weed overgrowth and do not act risk city-hired contractors performing the work at the owner's expense.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 176-16 gives tenants a basis to raise exterior property conditions—such as pest infestations, unsanitary grounds, or poor drainage—as potential code violations when an owner has not met the standards set out in this provision. Tenants may report concerns to the Troy Director of Code Enforcement, who is authorized to conduct inspections and pursue compliance. Consulting a local tenant-rights organization can help clarify which remedies or complaint processes may be available in a given situation.
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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