Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 151-60
Exterior property areas
Operative Text
A. Sanitation. All exterior property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. The occupant shall keep that part of the exterior property which such occupant occupies or controls in a clean and sanitary condition. B. Grading and drainage. Surface and subsurface water shall be appropriately drained to protect buildings and structures and to prevent ponding. Exception: approved retention areas, reservoirs, lakes, ponds and creeks. C. Sidewalks and driveways. All sidewalks, walkways, stairs, driveways, parking spaces and similar areas shall be kept in a proper state of repair and maintained free from hazardous conditions. Stairs shall comply with the requirements of §§ 151-61J and 151-84I . D. Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches [254 millimeters (mm)]. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. "Weeds" shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs; provided, however, that this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens. Exceptions: (1) Farmland, vacant lots containing no structures, undeveloped portions of land zoned SA or NCD-MOS, designated open space areas, wetlands, conservation easement areas and any other area intended to be maintained in a natural state. (2) Rights-of-way, lands or highway easements owned by another municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state. E. Rodent harborage. All structures and exterior property shall be kept free from rodent harborage and infestation. Where rodents are found, they shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes which will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to eliminate rodent harborage and prevent reinfestation. F. Exhaust vents. Pipes, ducts, conductors, fans or blowers shall not discharge gases, steam, vapor, hot air, grease, smoke, odors or other gaseous or particulate wastes directly upon abutting or adjacent public or private property or that of another tenant. G. Accessory structures. (1) All accessory structures, including detached garages, sheds, fences and walls, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair. (2) Gates which are required to be self-closing and self-latching in accordance with the Building Code shall be maintained in proper working condition. H. (Reserved) I. Defacement of property. No person shall willfully or wantonly damage, mutilate or deface any exterior surface of any structure or building on any private or public property by placing thereon any marking, carving or graffiti. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to restore said surface to an approved state of maintenance and repair. J. Yards, courts and vacant lots. Yards, courts and vacant lots shall be kept clean and free of hazards. K. Ground cover. Ground cover shall be properly established to prevent undue soil erosion due to the elements. When vehicles are parked on lawns, all ruts and other damage caused by vehicular traffic shall be promptly filled and ground cover shall be reestablished and maintained.
Section 151-60 of Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 establishes a broad set of standards for how exterior property areas must be maintained. It covers sanitation, drainage, sidewalks and driveways, weed height (capped at 10 inches), rodent control, exhaust vents, accessory structures, graffiti removal, and ground cover. Both property owners and occupants share responsibility depending on which part of the exterior they control, and certain areas such as farmland, wetlands, and designated open space are exempt from the weed provisions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to § 151-60 generally keep all exterior surfaces, walkways, accessory structures, and drainage systems in good repair and free from hazards. Compliant operators address rodent infestations promptly using approved extermination methods and take follow-up steps to prevent reinfestation, and they ensure exhaust vents do not discharge waste onto neighboring properties. Owners are also responsible for restoring any exterior surface defaced by graffiti to an approved state of maintenance and repair, regardless of who caused the damage.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 151-60, occupants are responsible for keeping the portions of exterior property they occupy or control in a clean and sanitary condition, which means this provision creates obligations that can apply directly to tenants—not just owners. Tenants who observe code violations on property they do not control, such as unrepaired walkways or a rodent infestation, may report concerns to the Town of Amherst's code enforcement office, which administers these standards. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Amherst's housing code can help clarify how shared responsibilities between owners and occupants are typically interpreted under this section.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation