Canandaigua, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 748 § 748-29
Unfit dwelling units
Operative Text
Any dwelling, dwelling unit, lodging house, lodging unit, rooming house or rooming unit having any of the defects found in the Subdivisions herein may be designated by the Code Enforcement Officer as unfit for human habitation and may be so placarded: A. The structure lacks illumination, ventilation, sanitation, heat or other facilities adequate to protect the health and safety of the occupants or the public. B. The structure is damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin infested in such a manner as to create a serious hazard to the health and safety of the occupants or the public. C. The structure, because of the location, general conditions, state of the premises or number of occupants, is so unsanitary, unsafe, overcrowded or otherwise detrimental to health and safety that it creates a serious hazard to the occupants or the public.
Under Canandaigua, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 748 § 748-29, a residential dwelling, lodging unit, or rooming unit can be officially designated as unfit for human habitation and posted with a placard when it meets certain conditions. Those conditions include lacking adequate light, ventilation, sanitation, heat, or other basic facilities; being damaged, decayed, dilapidated, or vermin-infested in a way that poses a serious health or safety hazard; or being so overcrowded, unsanitary, or otherwise dangerous due to its location, general condition, or number of occupants that it creates a serious hazard. This designation is made by the Code Enforcement Officer and applies to any type of residential unit covered by the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Canandaigua, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 748 § 748-29 generally maintain their residential units in a condition that avoids the defects listed in that section — including adequate illumination, ventilation, sanitation, and heating systems, as well as freedom from decay, dilapidation, and vermin infestation. Compliant operators routinely inspect their properties to identify and remediate structural damage, overcrowding, or unsanitary conditions before they rise to the level of a serious hazard. Allowing conditions that trigger an 'unfit for human habitation' designation and placard under § 748-29 can have significant operational and legal consequences for a rental property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in a dwelling that may have defects described in Canandaigua, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 748 § 748-29 — such as inadequate heat, vermin infestation, structural decay, or dangerous overcrowding — have the right to have those conditions reviewed by the local Code Enforcement Officer, who holds the authority to designate a unit as unfit for human habitation. Tenants can document conditions and report them to the City of Canandaigua's code enforcement office to initiate an inspection under § 748-29. Consulting a local tenant-rights organization can help tenants understand the range of options available when a unit may meet the threshold for an unfit designation.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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