Castleton-on-Hudson, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 159 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 159-12
Application for search warrant authorized
Operative Text
The Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to make application to the Town of Schodack Justice Court or the County Court of Rensselaer County for the issuance of a search warrant to be executed by a police officer, in order to conduct an inspection of any premises covered by this chapter where the owner or occupant refuses or fails, after due notice by certified mail, to allow an inspection of the rental dwelling unit or premises, and where there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of any state, county or Village law or ordinance has occurred. The application for search warrant shall, in all respects, comply with applicable laws of the State of New York.
Section 159-12 of the Castleton-on-Hudson Code of Ordinances establishes a legal pathway for authorities to inspect rental properties even when access is denied. When an owner or occupant refuses or fails to allow an inspection after receiving certified mail notice, the Code Enforcement Officer may seek a search warrant from either the Town of Schodack Justice Court or the Rensselaer County Court. The warrant can only be sought where there is reasonable cause to believe a violation of applicable state, county, or village law has occurred, and the application must comply with New York State law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 159-12, property owners and managers who receive certified mail notice of an inspection request are generally expected to provide access to the rental dwelling unit or premises covered by Chapter 159. Refusing or failing to respond to that notice can trigger a formal warrant application process through the courts. Operators who maintain open communication with the Code Enforcement Officer and accommodate scheduled inspections typically avoid the escalation to judicial proceedings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 159-12 means that even if a property owner refuses to allow an inspection, the Code Enforcement Officer has a legal mechanism to obtain a court-issued search warrant to examine the rental unit for potential violations. As a tenant, this provision supports the enforcement of housing standards in your rental dwelling, since inspections can proceed regardless of owner non-cooperation. Tenants who believe violations exist may consider contacting the local Code Enforcement Officer or a tenant-rights organization to understand how the inspection process under § 159-12 might apply to their situation.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation