Watervliet, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-8

A. Once every three years, a firesafety and property maintenance inspection is required for all buildings containing rental dwelling units that are either single-family units or are two-family units and shall be inspected by the Building Department for compliance with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, Chapter 175 , Housing Standards, of the Code of the City of Watervliet, and all applicable housing standards. B. There shall be no fee for the inspection being performed by the Building Department. C. All single-family units and two-family units must meet the minimum standards for occupancy as set forth in Chapter 175 , Housing Standards, of the Code of the City of Watervliet and must comply with the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code and all applicable housing standards. D. If, upon inspection, said premises do not comply with all applicable provisions of this Code or the Uniform Code, the specific reasons for noncompliance shall be specified in writing and a time limit, not to exceed 30 days, shall be directed for the correction of, or the substantial effort to correct, the deficiencies noted. The notice of noncompliance shall be delivered personally or by mail within seven business days to the owner, agent or person in charge at the address set forth in the Rental Dwelling Unit Registry and to any occupant who so requests. Occupants or proposed occupants of dwellings shall have the right to inspect the residential occupancy permit of the residential rental dwelling unit, apartment or multiple residence in which they have an interest at no cost. E. On or after May 1, 2017, the Building Department shall have the right to inspect all or any part of the rented dwelling, including any unit or apartment, or entire multiple residence as required herein or upon complaint, except that the owner, agent, or person in charge thereof shall have the right to insist upon the procurement of a search warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction by the Inspector of Buildings or his or her designee or Code Enforcement Officer, in order to enable such inspection. The officials charged with conducting the inspection pursuant to this article shall be required to obtain a search warrant whenever an owner, agent, or person in charge refuses to permit a warrantless inspection of the premises. F. Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the right of the Building Department to inspect any property at any time. If, after issuing a residential occupancy permit, the Building Department receives a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter or other chapter of the City Code, other than a violation that creates an imminent hazard to the public health or to the physical or mental health of the occupants of the rental property, the Building Department shall make a good faith effort to notify the owner or agent of the complaint by either telephone or regular mail, before conducting an inspection under this chapter, and shall provide to the owner or agent one working day from the date the owner or agent receives the notice to explain what steps the owner or agent is taking to correct the violation. The Building Department may take steps necessary, by inspection or other means, to assure that the violation is corrected. G. No residential occupancy permit shall be issued under this article unless the rental dwelling unit is an authorized use pursuant to Chapter 272 , Zoning, and until all other applicable provisions and requirements of the Code of the City of Watervliet are complied with and met. H. Upon passing inspection, a residential occupancy permit shall be granted. All single-family and two-family dwellings shall be required to hold a valid residential occupancy permit. Such residential occupancy permit shall be valid for a period of not more than three years. Before the expiration of the residential occupancy permit, it shall be the responsibility of the owner of the rental property to schedule an inspection with the Building Department in order to obtain a new residential occupancy permit. I. Failure of an owner or agent to appear within 15 minutes of a scheduled inspection ("no show") shall result in a fee of $25 per unit scheduled for inspection. J. Cancellation of a scheduled inspection less than 24 hours before that scheduled inspection ("late cancellation") shall result in a fee of $25 per unit scheduled for inspection.