Watertown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 177 § 177-6
Application for rental registration
Operative Text
A. Application for a certificate of registration of a rental dwelling unit shall be made, in writing, on a required form provided by and to be filed with the Department for that purpose. A separate application shall be made for each building or structure containing one or more rental dwelling units. In the event that any rental dwelling unit or rental property is owned by more than one person, the application shall be executed by each such owner. In those instances in which it is owned by a business entity, the application shall be executed by the chief executive officer of such entity (e.g., president, general partner, managing member). Such application shall contain the following information: (1) The name, address (both street address and any post office address), telephone and facsimile numbers, and e-mail address, if any, of each owner. (2) The street address of the rental property, including the apartment or unit number of the rental dwelling unit(s), if any. (3) If the rental dwelling unit is occupied as of the date the application is filed with the Department. (4) A description of the building or structure, including the number of rental dwelling units in the building or structure. B. Designation of a managing agent. If the owner of the rental dwelling unit does not live within and/or maintain an office or a place of business within Jefferson County, a managing agent must be designated. The name, address (street address and any post office address), telephone and facsimile numbers and e-mail address of the local managing agent or agents or operator of each such intended rental property shall be provided. The agent shall be a person 18 years of age or older, who resides within the County of Jefferson, New York, or conducts a business, the main office or branch of which is located in the County of Jefferson. The agent shall be designated by such owner as in control of and responsible for the maintenance and operation of such dwelling and who shall be designated as the person upon whom process and other notice may be served on behalf of the owner. C. Conditions to be met; acknowledgement. (1) Such application shall include an acknowledgement by the owner affirming that rental dwelling unit(s) meet the following conditions: (a) Rental properties and all rental dwelling units thereon shall comply with all applicable federal, state or local statutes, laws, ordinances, codes, rules or regulations, including the applicable provisions of the New York State-adopted rules of the International Code Council (ICC), as the same may, from time to time, be amended. (b) Operational smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as required by the ICC. (c) Exterior walls, including foundations, shall be maintained. All exterior walls and foundations must be free of holes and crevices. (d) Exterior doors, windows, skylights and similar openings shall be maintained, secured and weathertight. (e) Exterior stairs, porches, entrance platforms, fire escapes and the railings thereon shall be maintained in a safe and sound condition. (f) Roofs shall be maintained in a weathertight condition, secured by normal means. (g) Roof drains, gutters and downspouts shall be maintained in good repair and free from obstructions. (h) Exterior surfaces shall be maintained in good condition. (i) Interior living spaces, including kitchen(s), bathroom(s), and bedroom(s), are in compliance with the ICC. (j) Operable heating system. (2) The acknowledgement will also affirm that the owner has received and read the following portions of the City Code and understands the obligation and responsibility to comply with all applicable state and local laws, including but not limited to: (a) Chapter 98 , Brush, Grass and Weeds. (b) Chapter 161 , Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse. D. Such application shall be signed by the owner(s).
Under Watertown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 177 § 177-6, owners of rental dwelling units must submit a written registration application to the City Department for each building they own. The application must include owner contact details, property information, and occupancy status, and must be signed by all owners or, for business entities, by the chief executive officer. Owners who live or maintain an office outside Jefferson County must designate a local managing agent who is at least 18 years old and resides or operates a business within the county. The application also requires an acknowledgement that the property meets specified habitability and safety standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to § 177-6 generally file a separate written application for each rental building using the Department's required form, ensuring all owners or the appropriate executive officer signs it. Out-of-county owners designate a Jefferson County-based managing agent and provide that agent's full contact information. A compliant application includes an acknowledgement confirming that the property meets safety conditions—such as working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, weathertight exteriors, and operable heating—and that the owner has reviewed the referenced chapters of the City Code.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 177-6 of Watertown's Code requires landlords to register rental units and formally acknowledge that their properties meet baseline safety and habitability standards, including working detectors, maintained exteriors, and operable heat. Tenants can check whether their building is registered with the City Department, and an unregistered property or unmet condition may be relevant if a housing complaint is filed. Tenant-rights organizations or a housing attorney can help residents understand how this registration requirement intersects with their specific 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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