Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-124
Administrative liability
Operative Text
No officer, agent or employee of the City of Albany, New York, shall be personally liable for any damage that may accrue to person or property as a result of any official determination order or action required or permitted in the discharge of his duties under this code. Any suit brought against any officer, agent or employee of the City of Albany, New York, as a result of any official determination order or action required or permitted in the discharge of his duties under this code shall be defended by the Corporation Counsel until the final determination of the proceedings therein.
Albany City Code § 231-124 establishes a liability shield for city officers, agents, and employees acting in their official capacity under the housing code. When a city official makes a determination, issues an order, or takes an action that is required or permitted by the code, that individual cannot be held personally responsible for any resulting property or personal damages. Additionally, if a lawsuit is filed against such an official arising from those official duties, the city's Corporation Counsel is required to provide legal defense through the conclusion of the proceedings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 231-124, landlords and property managers interacting with Albany housing code enforcement should understand that the city officials who inspect properties, issue orders, or make determinations are acting under a formal legal shield. This means that disputes over enforcement actions are directed at the city as an institution rather than at individual inspectors or officers personally. Compliant operators generally maintain clear records of all official communications and orders received, recognizing that the enforcement process is backed by the city's legal apparatus.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 231-124 of Albany's Code of Ordinances clarifies that city employees and officers who carry out housing code duties cannot be sued personally for damages arising from those official actions. For tenants, this means that any legal challenge to a housing code determination or enforcement action would be directed at the city itself, not at an individual inspector or officer. Tenants who believe a housing code action has affected their rights may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service to understand what avenues exist for contesting official decisions under the code.
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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