Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 151-64
Extermination
Operative Text
A. Infestation. All structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation. All structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly exterminated by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health. After extermination, proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation. B. Owner. The owner of any structure shall be responsible for extermination within the structure prior to renting or leasing the structure. C. Single occupant. The occupant of a one-family dwelling or of a single-tenant nonresidential structure shall be responsible for extermination on the premises. D. Multiple occupancy. The owner of a structure containing two or more dwelling units, a multiple occupancy, a rooming house or a nonresidential structure shall be responsible for extermination in the public or shared areas of the structure and exterior property. If infestation is caused by failure of an occupant to prevent such infestation in the area occupied, the occupants shall be responsible for extermination. E. Occupant. The occupant of any structure shall be responsible for the continued rodent- and pest-free condition of the structure. Exception: Where the infestations are caused by defects in the structure, the owner shall be responsible for extermination.
Section 151-64 of Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 establishes that all structures must be kept free of insects and rodents, and that extermination must be carried out using methods that are safe for human health. Responsibility for extermination is divided based on occupancy type: owners bear responsibility before renting a unit and in shared or common areas of multi-unit buildings, while occupants are generally responsible for maintaining pest-free conditions in the spaces they occupy. When an infestation stems from a structural defect rather than an occupant's actions, the owner bears responsibility for remediation regardless of occupancy type.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 151-64, property owners in Amherst are expected to ensure a structure is free of insects and rodents before it is rented or leased to any tenant. For buildings with two or more dwelling units, rooming houses, or multi-occupancy structures, owners are responsible for extermination in all shared, public, and exterior areas. Compliant operators typically document pre-rental inspections, use approved extermination methods that are not hazardous to human health, and address any structural defects that could contribute to infestation, since such defects shift extermination responsibility back to the owner even when a unit is occupied.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 151-64 gives tenants in Amherst a clear framework for understanding pest-control responsibilities: occupants are generally expected to maintain the pest-free condition of the space they occupy, but if an infestation arises from a structural defect in the building, the owner — not the tenant — is responsible for extermination. Tenants who believe an infestation is rooted in a building defect may have grounds to raise that distinction when communicating with their landlord or when contacting local code enforcement authorities in Amherst. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how § 151-64 applies to their circumstances and what documentation may be useful when reporting a potential violation.
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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