Elmira Town, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 171 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 171-4
Certification and probationary certification
Operative Text
A. Rental housing certification. Upon the effective date of the local law from which this chapter is derived, all owners of rental housing in the Town shall be deemed not to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter and, therefore, shall be considered to be certified to rent rental dwelling units in the Town. B. Probationary certification required. A person must obtain a rental housing probationary certification before such person shall allow to be occupied, or rent or lease to another for occupancy, any dwelling unit if the building in which the dwelling unit is located or the building premises, after the effective date of the local law from which this chapter is derived: (1) Has been issued by the Town three or more initial notices and orders to remedy within any consecutive twelve-month period when no substantial progress in remedying the violations was made within the time period set forth in the initial notice and order; (2) Had three or more nuisance abatements including but not limited to miscellaneous refuse, grass (Chapter 73 ) or safety and health (Chapter 82 ) abatements conducted by the Town within any consecutive six-month period; (3) Has been the location of three or more police responses within any consecutive six-month period (police responses shall include animal enforcement responses but not responses for medical reasons, other than for medical complaints arising from acts which may constitute a penal law violation or crime, shall not be included) and the Town's Police Chief has ordered probationary certification; or (4) Has not been registered in accordance with § 170-5 .
Section 171-4 of Elmira Town's Code of Ordinances establishes a two-tier certification framework for rental housing. All rental property owners were automatically considered certified when the chapter took effect. However, if a building later accumulates certain thresholds of code violations, nuisance abatements, police responses, or fails to register under § 170-5, the owner must obtain a probationary certification before any dwelling unit in that building may be rented or occupied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 171-4, compliant rental operators in Elmira Town generally maintain their standard certification by keeping buildings free of recurring code violations, avoiding repeated nuisance abatements (such as those under Chapters 73 and 82), and ensuring timely registration under § 170-5. Operators whose properties trigger any of the four enumerated thresholds — such as three or more initial notices within twelve months or three or more police responses within six months — must secure a probationary certification before allowing occupancy or executing new leases. Staying current on remediation timelines and registration requirements is the typical way operators avoid the probationary certification requirement.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 171-4 gives tenants a way to understand the certification status of their building in Elmira Town, which can be relevant if a landlord is renting or leasing a unit without the required probationary certification. Tenants whose building has a history of unresolved code violations, repeated nuisance abatements, or frequent police responses may want to inquire with the Town about whether the property is properly certified under this chapter. Tenant-rights organizations or local housing offices can help residents understand what certification status means for their tenancy and what avenues exist if a landlord is operating outside the requirements of § 171-4.
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
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation