Yonkers, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 58 § 58-19
Refuse rooms and collection systems
Operative Text
A. Lighting. Adequate lighting shall be provided in refuse rooms. B. Maintenance. Refuse chutes, refuse rooms, hoppers and all parts of the refuse collecting system shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times, free of vermin, odors and defects, and shall be maintained in good operating condition. C. Pest control. The owner shall establish a program to ensure that the refuse chute and refuse room and all appurtenances will be treated as often as necessary to prevent infestation of insects or rodents. The owner shall maintain records of such treatments, which shall be available to the Department at all times. D. Collection and disposal of refuse within premises. The collection and disposal of refuse within any building or on any premises shall be performed as is necessary to provide for the safety, health and well-being of the occupants of buildings and of the public. E. Noise control. Refuse compactors shall be so operated as not to cause any noise nuisance to occupants of the building. F. Notification to Commissioner of Public Works. The owner, agent or person in responsible charge of any building, structure or property using a compactor must notify the Commissioner of Public Works of the City of Yonkers within three weeks of operation time so that he may make arrangements for the pickup of the raw refuse.
Yonkers, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 58 § 58-19 establishes standards for refuse rooms and collection systems in buildings. Refuse chutes, rooms, hoppers, and related equipment must be kept clean, sanitary, free of vermin and odors, and in good working order at all times, with adequate lighting provided. Refuse compactors must be operated without creating noise nuisances, and building owners must notify the Commissioner of Public Works within three weeks of beginning compactor operation so that refuse pickup arrangements can be made.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 58 § 58-19, compliant building operators generally keep refuse rooms well-lit and maintain all chute components, hoppers, and collection equipment in a clean, sanitary, and fully operational state. Operators typically implement a documented pest-control treatment program for refuse areas and retain those treatment records so they are available to the Department at any time. When a compactor is placed into service, operators generally notify the Commissioner of Public Works of the City of Yonkers within the three-week window specified by the ordinance to coordinate refuse pickup logistics.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ch. 58 § 58-19 gives building occupants a basis to expect that refuse rooms and collection systems are kept clean, sanitary, lit, free of pests and odors, and operated without causing noise nuisances. If conditions in a refuse room or chute appear to fall short of these standards — such as signs of rodent or insect infestation, persistent odors, broken equipment, or compactor noise — tenants may document the conditions and report them to the relevant City of Yonkers code enforcement authority. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Yonkers housing code can help occupants understand what options are available when a building's refuse system does not meet the requirements of this provision.
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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