Cal. Civ. Code § 305
Violation of local laws and regulations
Operative Text
§ 305. Violation of local laws and regulations. Any owner, architect, builder, contractor, sub-contractor, construction superintendent or their agents who shall, in the construction or alteration of any building or structure intended to be occupied as a multiple dwelling, knowingly violate any of the provisions of local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 305, knowingly disregarding local laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations during the construction or alteration of a building intended for use as a multiple dwelling is treated as a criminal offense — specifically a misdemeanor. This rule applies broadly to a range of parties involved in the construction process, including owners, architects, builders, contractors, subcontractors, and construction superintendents, as well as their agents. The provision signals that compliance with local building and housing codes in the multi-family context carries criminal, not merely civil, consequences.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners overseeing construction or alteration of a multiple dwelling under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 305 are generally expected to ensure that all work is carried out in full conformity with applicable local laws, ordinances, and regulations. Compliant operators typically verify that every party in the construction chain — architects, general contractors, subcontractors, and superintendents — is aware of and adhering to local code requirements before and during the project. Because a knowing violation can constitute a misdemeanor, owners commonly document their oversight efforts and maintain records showing that local approvals and permits were properly obtained.
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 § 305 establishes that knowing violations of local building laws during the construction or alteration of a multiple dwelling are criminal in nature, which reflects the seriousness with which New York treats code compliance in residential buildings. Tenants who suspect that their building was constructed or altered in violation of local ordinances or regulations may report concerns to local building or housing departments, which have authority to investigate and issue violations. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand how a § 305 violation might relate to other housing remedies available to them.
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.
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