Utica, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 2-12 § 2-12-538
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
An owner who fails to register, re-register or otherwise comply with the provisions of this division, shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for each day of noncompliance for each dwelling or rental dwelling unit. Each day of noncompliance shall be a separate violation of this division. Further, if noncompliance extends beyond the date of conviction upon default for failing to appear on the return date of the citation, then the penalty shall be the fines, together with 15 days in jail. During the same time period the City shall presume the dwelling or dwelling unit unsafe and shall order the subject dwelling or dwelling unit to be vacated upon 20 days' notice. Prosecutions shall be taken by the Administrator through the City Corporation Counsel in City Court.
Under Utica, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 2-12 § 2-12-538, property owners who fail to register or re-register rental dwelling units as required face fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 for every day they remain out of compliance, with each day counted as a separate violation. If noncompliance continues past a conviction date—or if an owner defaults by failing to appear in court—the penalties escalate to include up to 15 days in jail in addition to the fines. The City may also presume the dwelling unsafe and order it vacated with 20 days' notice, and enforcement actions are brought by the Administrator through the City Corporation Counsel in City Court.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Utica, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 2-12 § 2-12-538 generally maintain current registration and re-registration for every dwelling and rental unit to avoid daily fines that accumulate at $500–$1,000 per unit per day. Compliant operators respond promptly to any citation and appear on the scheduled court return date, since a default appearance can trigger additional penalties including potential jail time. Keeping registration records up to date and addressing any compliance gaps before a citation is issued are practices consistent with meeting the requirements of this division.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Utica, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 2-12 § 2-12-538, tenants have an interest in knowing whether their dwelling is properly registered, because an unregistered unit may be presumed unsafe by the City and subject to a vacate order with 20 days' notice. If a tenant believes their landlord has failed to register or re-register a rental unit, they may consider contacting the City Administrator's office, which is the body authorized to initiate prosecutions under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations in the Utica area can help residents understand what registration requirements apply to their building and what options may be available if a vacate order is issued.
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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