Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 151-78
Mechanical equipment
Operative Text
A. Mechanical equipment. All mechanical equipment, fireplaces and solid fuel-burning appliances shall be properly installed and maintained in a safe working condition and shall be capable of performing the intended function. B. Cooking and heating equipment. (1) All cooking and heating equipment, components and accessories in every heating, cooking and water-heating device shall be maintained free from leaks and obstructions. (2) Cooking equipment. Cooking appliances shall not be used to provide space heating to meet the minimum requirements of § 151-77C . C. Removal of combustion products. All fuel-burning equipment and appliances shall be connected to an approved chimney or vent. Exception: fuel-burning equipment and appliances which are labeled for unvented operation. D. Clearances. All required clearances to combustible materials shall be maintained. E. Safety controls. All safety controls for fuel-burning equipment shall be maintained in effective operation. F. Combustion air. A supply of air for complete combustion of the fuel and for ventilation of the space containing the fuel-burning equipment shall be provided for the fuel-burning equipment. G. Energy conservation devices. Devices intended to reduce fuel consumption by attachment to a fuel-burning appliance, to the fuel supply line thereto or to the vent outlet or vent piping therefrom shall not be installed unless labeled for such purpose and the installation is specifically approved.
Section 151-78 of the Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances establishes baseline standards for mechanical equipment in residential and other covered properties. All mechanical equipment, fireplaces, fuel-burning appliances, and cooking and heating devices must be properly installed, kept in safe working order, and used only for their intended purposes. The rule also prohibits using cooking appliances as a substitute for space heating, requires fuel-burning equipment to be vented to an approved chimney or vent (with limited exceptions), and bars the installation of unapproved energy-conservation add-on devices.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of properties subject to ch. 151 § 151-78 generally keep records of installation, inspection, and maintenance for all mechanical equipment, fireplaces, and fuel-burning appliances. Compliant operators ensure that cooking appliances are never relied upon to meet the space-heating minimums set out in § 151-77C, and that all fuel-burning equipment is connected to an approved chimney or vent unless the unit is specifically labeled for unvented operation. Any energy-conservation device attached to a fuel-burning appliance or its supply or vent lines should carry appropriate labeling and receive specific approval before installation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Amherst Code § 151-78, tenants have a right to mechanical equipment, heating devices, and fuel-burning appliances that are safely installed, properly maintained, and correctly vented. If equipment in a rental unit appears to be leaking, obstructed, improperly vented, or otherwise out of compliance with this section, tenants may report the condition to the local code-enforcement or building-inspection office in Amherst. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what documentation to gather and what local complaint processes are available.
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
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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation