Troy, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-18
Interior structure
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling, multifamily dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, or portion thereof, for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Free from dampness. In every dwelling, multifamily dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house and rooming unit, cellars, basements and crawl spaces shall be maintained reasonably free from dampness to prevent conditions conducive to decay or deterioration of the structure, as required by the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. B. Structural members. The supporting structural members of every dwelling and multifamily dwelling used for human habitation shall be maintained structurally sound, showing no evidence of deterioration which would render them incapable of carrying the imposed loads, in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. C. Interior stairs and railings. Stairs shall be provided in every dwelling, multifamily dwelling, rooming and boardinghouse as required by the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. D. Maintained in good repair. All interior stairs of every structure used for human habitation shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair by replacing treads and risers that evidence excessive wear or are broken, warped or loose. Every inside stair shall be so constructed and maintained as to be safe to use and capable of supporting a load, as required by the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. E. Handrails. Every stairwell and every flight of stairs which is three risers or more high shall have handrails or railings located in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Every handrail or railing shall be firmly fastened and must be maintained in good condition. Properly balustraded railings, capable of bearing normally imposed loads, as required by the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, shall be placed on the open portions of stairs, balconies, landings and stairwells. F. Bathroom floors. Every toilet and bathroom floor surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be substantially impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept in a clean and sanitary condition. G. Sanitation. The interior of every dwelling and multifamily dwelling used for human habitation shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. Rubbish, garbage, and other refuse may be properly kept inside temporary storage facilities as required under § 176-20J and K of this chapter. H. Insect and rodent harborage. Buildings used for human habitation shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation, and where insects or rodents are found they shall be promptly exterminated by acceptable processes which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation. I. Extermination. Every owner of a dwelling or multifamily dwelling shall be responsible for the extermination of insects, rodents, vermin, or other pests whenever infestation exists in two or more of the dwelling units or in the shared or public parts of the structure. J. Extermination of single-dwelling limits. The occupant of a dwelling unit in a dwelling or multifamily dwelling shall be responsible for such extermination within the unit occupied by him/her whenever his/her dwelling unit is the only unit in the building that is infested. K. Responsibility of owner. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, whenever infestation of rodents is caused by failure of the owner to maintain any dwelling or multifamily dwelling in a rodent-proof condition, extermination of such rodents shall be the responsibility of the owner. L. Privacy doors. All one-family, two-family and multifamily buildings shall have doors on all bedrooms and bathrooms. M. Walls and ceilings. All interior surfaces and ceilings shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and shall be free of any peeling and chipping paint.
Troy, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-18 establishes a set of minimum interior structural and sanitation standards that must be met before any dwelling, multifamily dwelling, rooming house, or dwelling unit may be occupied. The rule covers a wide range of conditions, including freedom from dampness, sound structural members, safe and well-maintained stairs and handrails, water-resistant bathroom floors, cleanliness, pest control, privacy doors on bedrooms and bathrooms, and clean interior surfaces free of peeling or chipping paint. Neither owners nor tenants may occupy or allow occupancy of a space that falls short of these requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental housing in Troy are generally expected to keep their properties in continuous compliance with every interior standard listed in § 176-18, from maintaining dry cellars and sound structural members to ensuring stairs, handrails, and railings meet Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code specifications. Compliant operators routinely inspect for dampness, pest infestation, deteriorating paint, and damaged stair treads, and they arrange extermination whenever two or more units are infested or when rodent conditions stem from a failure to maintain the building in a rodent-proof state. Keeping records of inspections, repairs, and extermination services is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating ongoing compliance with § 176-18.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Troy have a right to occupy housing that meets the interior standards set out in § 176-18, including structurally sound stairs with proper handrails, pest-free common areas, clean and sanitary interiors, privacy doors on bedrooms and bathrooms, and walls and ceilings free of peeling or chipping paint. When conditions fall short of these standards, general enforcement paths include reporting concerns to the local code enforcement or housing inspection office, which has authority to inspect and require corrections under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations in the Troy area can provide information about how to document conditions and what options are generally available to residents facing habitability issues covered by § 176-18.
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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