Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 151-47
Title; scope; intent
Operative Text
A. Title. These regulations shall be known as the "Property Maintenance Code of the Town of Amherst, New York, hereinafter referred to as "this article." B. Scope. The provisions of this article shall apply to all existing and future residential and nonresidential structures and all premises that contain structures or occupied or unoccupied buildings. The provisions contained herein shall constitute minimum requirements and standards for premises, structures, equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, protection from the elements, life safety, safety from fire and other hazards and for safe and sanitary maintenance; the responsibility of owners, operators and occupants; the occupancy of existing structures and premises and for administration, enforcement and penalties. C. Intent. This article shall be construed to secure its expressed intent, which is to ensure public health, safety and welfare and to prevent and remedy blighted conditions with respect to all occupied and unoccupied structures, buildings and premises. Existing structures and premises that do not comply with these provisions shall be altered or repaired to provide a minimum level of health, safety and reasonable condition as required herein. D. Severability. If a section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this article is, for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this article.
Section 151-47 of Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 establishes the Property Maintenance Code of the Town of Amherst, New York, setting out its title, scope, and intent. The code applies broadly to all residential and nonresidential structures and premises—whether occupied or unoccupied—and lays out minimum standards covering areas such as light, ventilation, heating, sanitation, fire safety, and structural condition. Its stated purpose is to protect public health, safety, and welfare and to address blighted conditions, requiring that any existing structure or premises falling short of these minimums be brought into compliance through alteration or repair.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 151-47, property owners and operators in Amherst are subject to the Property Maintenance Code regardless of whether their buildings are residential or nonresidential, occupied or vacant. Compliant operators generally maintain all structures and premises at or above the minimum standards for sanitation, ventilation, heating, fire safety, and structural condition described throughout ch. 151. Because the code explicitly assigns responsibility to owners and operators, keeping records of inspections, repairs, and maintenance activities is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 151-47 establishes that the Property Maintenance Code of the Town of Amherst sets minimum health, safety, and habitability standards that apply to all occupied residential structures and premises. Tenants whose living conditions may fall below those minimums—such as inadequate heating, ventilation, or sanitation—can look to ch. 151 as the baseline standard against which a property's condition is measured. General enforcement paths available to tenants include filing a complaint with the Town of Amherst's code enforcement office, raising a violation of ch. 151 as a defense in relevant legal proceedings, or consulting a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on next steps.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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