Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 151-59
General requirements
Operative Text
A. Scope. The provisions of §§ 151-59 through 151-64 shall govern the minimum conditions and the responsibilities of persons for maintenance of structures, equipment and exterior property. B. Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall maintain the structures and exterior property in compliance with these requirements, except as otherwise provided for in §§ 151-63 and 151-64 . A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or permit another person to occupy premises which are not in a sanitary and safe condition and which do not comply with the requirements of this article. Occupants of a dwelling unit are responsible for keeping in a clean, sanitary and safe condition that part of the dwelling unit or premises which they occupy and control. C. Vacant structures and land. All vacant structures and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition as provided herein so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety.
Section 151-59 of Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 establishes the foundational scope and responsibility framework for property maintenance across §§ 151-59 through 151-64. Under this provision, property owners bear primary responsibility for keeping structures and exterior property in safe and sanitary condition, while occupants share responsibility for the portions of a dwelling they personally occupy and control. The rule also extends these standards to vacant structures and land, requiring that unoccupied properties not become blighting influences or public health hazards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 151-59, property owners in Amherst are generally expected to maintain all structures and exterior property in a condition that meets the minimum safety and sanitary standards set out in §§ 151-59 through 151-64. Compliant operators typically conduct regular inspections of both occupied and vacant properties, address deterioration promptly, and ensure that no unit is made available for occupancy unless it meets the article's requirements. Owners of vacant land or structures should be aware that § 151-59 specifically extends maintenance obligations to unoccupied properties to prevent blight and protect public health.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 151-59 of Amherst's Code of Ordinances ch. 151 makes clear that while owners carry the primary maintenance burden, occupants are also responsible for keeping the portions of a dwelling unit they occupy and control in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition. Tenants who believe an owner is failing to meet the structural or exterior maintenance standards outlined in §§ 151-59 through 151-64 may have grounds to raise those conditions as a concern with local code enforcement authorities. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what general options may be available when a property falls below the standards described in 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 November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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