Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 157-17
General requirements
Operative Text
A. Buildings and parts thereof shall be maintained so as to be capable of sustaining safely their own weight and the loads to which they may be subjected. B. Buildings shall be maintained so that loads are transmitted to the soil without undue differential settlement, unsafe deformation or movement of the building or of any structural part. C. Buildings shall be maintained so that protection is provided for all structural members which may become structurally unsound if left unprotected. Causes of such deterioration include, among others, action of freezing and thawing, dampness, corrosion, wetting and drying, and termites and other destructive insects. D. Buildings built in soil which is water-bearing at any season of the year shall be maintained so that ground- and surface water will not penetrate into habitable space, basements and cellars.
Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 § 157-17 establishes baseline structural and environmental maintenance standards for all buildings. Every building must be kept strong enough to bear its own weight and any imposed loads, with forces transmitted safely into the ground without harmful settling or movement. Structural members must be shielded from deterioration caused by moisture, freezing, corrosion, and pests, and buildings on water-bearing soil must be kept free of groundwater and surface-water intrusion in habitable spaces, basements, and cellars.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 157 § 157-17, compliant property operators in Clarkstown routinely inspect load-bearing elements, foundations, and structural members for signs of settlement, deformation, or deterioration. Operators generally maintain protective treatments—such as waterproofing, pest-control measures, and corrosion-resistant coatings—on all structural components vulnerable to moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, or insect damage. For properties on seasonally water-bearing soil, operators typically ensure that drainage systems, waterproof membranes, and sump systems are functioning so that groundwater does not enter habitable areas, basements, or cellars.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ch. 157 § 157-17 gives tenants in Clarkstown a basis to raise concerns when a building shows signs of structural failure, excessive settling, or water intrusion into living spaces, basements, or cellars. Tenants who observe cracked foundations, sagging structural members, pest damage, or persistent dampness may document those conditions and report them to the local code enforcement office, which has authority to inspect and require corrective action. Tenant-rights organizations can explain how this provision may be relevant to habitability complaints or used as a defense in certain housing proceedings.
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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