Cal. Civ. Code § 303
Enforcement
Operative Text
§ 303. Enforcement. 1. Except as herein otherwise provided, the provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the department charged with the enforcement of laws, ordinances and regulations in relation to multiple dwellings. 1-a. For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this chapter, the department shall have the power to subpeona witnesses, administer oaths and take testimony, compel the production of books, papers, records and documents and to hold public or private hearings, subject to the right of any person who shall appear hereunder to be represented by counsel of his own choosing, at any such hearing. The department may designate one or more of its members, officers or employees to exercise any one or more of such powers. 2. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to abrogate or impair the powers of any department or of the courts to enforce the provisions of any local law, ordinance, rule, regulation or charter not inconsistent with this chapter, or to prevent violations or punish violators thereof.
New York Multiple Dwelling Law § 303 establishes that the local department responsible for overseeing multiple dwellings is the primary body charged with enforcing the chapter's requirements. To carry out that role, the department holds broad investigative powers, including the ability to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and compel the production of records, with any person appearing before it entitled to be represented by counsel of their choosing. Importantly, this enforcement framework does not displace or weaken the authority of other agencies or courts to enforce local laws, ordinances, or regulations that are consistent with the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 303, property owners and managers should be aware that the designated local enforcement department holds significant investigative authority, including the power to compel records and hold hearings. Operators who maintain thorough, organized documentation of building conditions, repairs, and compliance activities are generally better positioned to respond to departmental inquiries or subpoenas. Because § 303 also preserves the parallel enforcement authority of courts and other local agencies, compliance obligations may arise from multiple regulatory directions simultaneously.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 303 means that tenants have more than one avenue through which housing violations may be addressed — both the designated local enforcement department and the courts retain authority to act on complaints. Tenants who believe their building is out of compliance with the Multiple Dwelling Law can file a complaint with the local department, which has the power under § 303 to investigate, subpoena records, and hold hearings. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand which enforcement channels may be available and what documentation is generally useful when raising concerns under 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 September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.