Yonkers, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 58 § 58-3
Purposes
Operative Text
It is hereby declared that the purposes of this chapter include but are not limited to implementation of Subchapter F and related provisions of the New York Uniform Code; protection, preservation and promotion of the physical and mental health and well-being of the people; minimization of the incidence of communicable diseases; regulation of privately and publicly owned dwellings for the purpose of maintaining adequate sanitation and health; protection of the safety of the people; and promotion of the general welfare by enactment of standards which shall be applicable to all dwellings and buildings now in existence or hereafter constructed. It is hereby further declared that a purpose of this chapter is to ensure that the quality of housing is adequate for the protection of health, safety and general welfare.
Section 58-3 of the Yonkers Code of Ordinances, Chapter 58, establishes the overarching goals of the city's housing code, which include implementing state building standards, protecting public health and safety, controlling communicable disease, and ensuring adequate sanitation in all dwellings—whether privately or publicly owned, existing or newly built. The provision frames the entire chapter as a welfare-oriented regulatory scheme rather than a narrow technical code. It signals that all subsequent rules in Chapter 58 are interpreted in light of these broad protective purposes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 58-3 of Yonkers Code Chapter 58, property owners and managers operate within a framework explicitly designed to protect health, safety, and general welfare across all dwelling types. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties in a manner consistent with sanitation, structural safety, and disease-prevention standards, recognizing that the chapter's purposes apply to existing buildings as well as new construction. Understanding this foundational provision helps operators appreciate why inspectors and enforcement bodies interpret Chapter 58 requirements broadly rather than narrowly.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 58-3 of Yonkers Code Chapter 58 establishes that tenants in all dwellings—public or private—are entitled to housing that meets health, safety, and sanitation standards as a matter of declared public policy. When conditions in a rental unit appear to fall short of those standards, tenants may reference this foundational purpose section to contextualize complaints filed with local code enforcement or housing authorities. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Yonkers housing law can help residents understand how § 58-3's stated purposes relate to specific code violations they may be experiencing.
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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