Fort Plain, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 116 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 116-5
Requirements for maintenance and renewal of license for such houses legally existing as of adoption of this local law
Operative Text
Any licenses issued for lodging houses, rooming houses and boarding houses existing as of the adoption of this Local Law and any renewal licenses shall be subject to revocation, unless the applicant or holder of such license fully complies with the following requirements: A. The applicant shall be the individual owner of such premises and shall be of good moral character. B. The maximum number of lodgers, roomers or boarders shall be four. C. There shall be no more than one person occupying a room as a lodger, roomer or boarder, and such room shall have a minimum of 100 square feet of floor space. More than one person may occupy a single room if related by blood or marriage and provided the room shall be of such size to provide a minimum of 75 square feet of floor area for each person. D. At the time of the issuance of such license and at all times when the licensed premises are used as a lodging house, rooming house or boarding house, the owner thereof shall maintain his residence in and shall actually reside in the licensed premises. E. Lodging houses, rooming houses and boarding houses legally operating prior to the adoption of this Local Law shall constitute nonconforming uses pursuant to the zoning regulations of the Village, and the owners thereof must apply for a license within 60 days of the adoption of this Local Law and be in compliance with all of the provisions of this chapter. Failure to apply for a license within 60 days of the adoption of this Local Law shall be deemed an abandonment of such nonconforming use. F. All lodging houses, rooming houses and boarding houses shall be heated by a central heating plant or electric panel heating. G. No cooking or storage of foodstuffs shall be permitted in any room other than a kitchen. H. In all parts of such building artificial lighting shall be provided by means of electric current; and each electric circuit shall be provided with a circuit breaker or fuse which shall meet the requirements of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters. Each application shall be accompanied by a New York Board of Fire Underwriter's certificate. This certificate shall not be more than one year old. Thereafter on renewal applications a current New York Board of Fire Underwriter's certificate shall be required at least once each five years. Any fees involved in obtaining this current New York Board of Fire Underwriter's certificate shall be borne by the applicant. I. No sinks shall be installed or used in any sleeping room, but basins shall be permitted for personal washing and shaving. Such basins, however, shall not be used for washing clothes and dishes or any unsanitary purposes. J. Bathroom facilities shall be maintained for the owner-occupant separate and apart from bathroom facilities for the lodgers, roomers and boarders. K. All sleeping rooms shall be numbered with raised figures not less than three inches in height placed on the outside of the door to each room, and no two rooms shall bear the same number. L. Each and every floor on which rooms are occupied by roomers shall be equipped with an approved fire extinguisher in good working condition readily accessible for use at all times. M. A water meter must be installed in the premises and properly connected with the water service line. Said meter must be obtained from the Water Department of the Village, and a record of such installment must be exhibited by the applicant before a license shall be issued hereunder. N. No room shall be occupied by roomers in the third floor or attic of any dwelling unless the building complies fully with the New York State Multiple Residence Law . O. Off street parking must be provided on or off premises for all occupants who own automobiles. P. All licensed lodging houses, rooming houses and boarding houses shall be subject to inspections at all reasonable hours by properly authorized representatives of the Village. Failure to comply with this provision shall constitute a ground for immediate revocation of the license.
Fort Plain, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 116 § 116-5 establishes the ongoing conditions under which licenses for pre-existing lodging houses, rooming houses, and boarding houses may be maintained and renewed. The rule sets out requirements covering occupancy limits, room size, owner residency, heating systems, electrical standards, fire safety equipment, bathroom separation, and regular Village inspections, among others. A license is subject to revocation if any of these conditions are not continuously met, and failure to apply for a license within 60 days of the law's adoption is treated as abandonment of the nonconforming use.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Fort Plain, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 116 § 116-5, operators of pre-existing lodging, rooming, or boarding houses generally maintain compliance by residing on the licensed premises at all times, keeping total occupancy at or below four lodgers, ensuring each single-occupant room meets the 100-square-foot minimum, and maintaining separate bathroom facilities for owner and lodgers. Compliant operators also keep current New York Board of Fire Underwriters certificates on file, equip each occupied floor with an approved fire extinguisher, use only central or electric panel heating, and make the premises available for Village inspections at all reasonable hours. Operators who acquired nonconforming-use status before the law's adoption were required to apply for a license within 60 days to preserve that status.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Fort Plain, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 116 § 116-5 establishes baseline living conditions that licensed rooming, lodging, and boarding houses must meet, including minimum room sizes, proper heating, electrical safety standards, fire extinguishers on each occupied floor, and separate bathroom facilities for owner and lodgers. Tenants who believe a licensed premises is not meeting these standards may report concerns to the Village, which has the authority to inspect the property at all reasonable hours and to revoke the license for non-compliance. Tenant-rights organizations or a local housing attorney can help individuals understand what remedies may be available when a landlord is not meeting the requirements of this provision.
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.
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