Endicott, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 160 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 160-9
Designation of unfit dwellings
Operative Text
The designation of dwellings or dwelling units as unfit for human habitation and the procedure for the condemnation and placarding of such unfit dwellings or dwelling units shall be carried out in compliance with the following requirements: A. Generally. Any dwelling or dwelling unit which shall be found to have any of the following defects shall be condemned as unfit for human habitation and shall be so designated and placarded by the enforcement officer: (1) One which, by reason of its failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter, is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, insanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public. (2) One which lacks illumination, ventilation or sanitation required by this chapter so as to adequately protect the health or safety of the occupants or of the public. B. Vacation of premises. Any dwelling or dwelling unit condemned as unfit for human habitation and so designated and placarded by the enforcement officer shall be vacated within such time as ordered by the hearing officer. C. Removal of defects required. No dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned and placarded as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from and such placard is removed by the enforcement officer. The enforcement officer shall remove such placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated. D. Defacing or removing placard. No person shall deface or remove the placard from any dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned as unfit for human habitation and placarded as such, except as provided in Subsection C . E. Notice of condemnation; hearing. No such dwelling shall be placarded as unfit for human habitation until at least 10 days after written notice of its condemnation has been given by the enforcement officer, pursuant to § 160-8 , to the owner and occupants of such dwelling and, if a hearing shall be requested by any such persons within such twenty-day period, until a hearing has been held before the hearing officer and a finding has been made after such hearing affirming the determination of the enforcement officer.
Section 160-9 of Endicott's Code of Ordinances establishes the process by which dwellings or dwelling units can be officially condemned and placarded as unfit for human habitation. A dwelling may be condemned if it poses serious health or safety hazards due to damage, decay, dilapidation, unsanitary conditions, unsafe conditions, or vermin infestation, or if it lacks required illumination, ventilation, or sanitation. Before a placard is posted, the enforcement officer must provide at least 10 days' written notice to owners and occupants, and any affected party may request a hearing before a hearing officer. Once condemned, the property cannot be reoccupied until the enforcement officer confirms defects have been corrected and removes the placard.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 160-9, property owners are expected to maintain dwellings in a condition that meets the chapter's standards for safety, sanitation, ventilation, and illumination to avoid condemnation proceedings. When an enforcement officer issues a written notice of condemnation, compliant operators generally respond promptly, address the cited defects, and engage with any scheduled hearing before the hearing officer. A property may not be re-rented or reoccupied after placarding until the enforcement officer has inspected the corrected conditions and formally removed the placard in writing. Removing or defacing a condemnation placard without that written approval is itself a violation under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 160-9 gives occupants of a condemned dwelling the right to receive at least 10 days' written notice before a placard is posted, and the right to request a hearing before a hearing officer to contest the condemnation determination. If a dwelling is placarded as unfit for human habitation, occupants will be ordered to vacate within a timeframe set by the hearing officer, and the property cannot legally be reoccupied until defects are corrected and the enforcement officer removes the placard. Tenants who believe their dwelling has conditions that rise to the level described in § 160-9 — such as serious hazards, vermin infestation, or lack of required ventilation or sanitation — may consider contacting the local enforcement officer or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation