Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-11
Responsibilities of occupants
Operative Text
Each occupant shall comply with all requirements imposed by applicable provisions of all City, county and state codes, regulations, ordinances and statutes, including but not limited to those relating to the following: A. Limiting occupancy of that part of the premises which the occupant occupies or controls to the maximum permitted by this chapter and other applicable regulations. B. Maintaining that part of the premises which the occupant occupies or controls in a clean, sanitary and safe condition. C. Maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition all plumbing, cooking and refrigeration fixtures and appliances as well as other building equipment and storage facilities in that part of the premises which the occupant occupies or controls and providing reasonable care in the operation and use thereof. D. Keeping exits from the occupant's unit clean and unencumbered. E. Placing all rubbish, garbage and other organic or flammable waste in a clean and sanitary manner in the facilities provided. F. Exterminating insects, rodents or other pests, except rodents within the unit if the occupant's unit is the only one infested in the premises. G. Keeping and controlling the occupant's domestic animals and pets in an appropriate and lawful manner. H. Not permitting any person on the premises with his permission to willfully or wantonly destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the structure or unit or the facilities, equipment or appurtenances thereto nor himself do any such thing.
Section 475-11 of Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 475 establishes a set of behavioral and maintenance responsibilities that fall on the occupant of a dwelling unit rather than the property owner. These duties cover a broad range of conduct, including keeping the occupied space clean and safe, properly disposing of waste, controlling pests (with a limited exception for rodent infestations affecting multiple units), managing pets lawfully, and preventing willful damage to the property. The provision also requires occupants to keep exits clear and to comply with all applicable city, county, and state codes that govern their use of the premises.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 475-11, Fulton's housing code places a meaningful share of day-to-day maintenance obligations directly on occupants, which can be relevant when a landlord is assessing the source of a code violation or a condition complaint. Compliant property operators typically document the condition of units at move-in and move-out, retain records of any pest-control services provided, and include lease language that mirrors the occupant duties enumerated in this section. When a violation arises that falls within an occupant's responsibilities under § 475-11—such as waste disposal failures or damage caused by the occupant—operators generally maintain records that distinguish between owner-caused and occupant-caused conditions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 475-11 of Fulton's Chapter 475 outlines the affirmative duties that tenants and other occupants are expected to fulfill, including maintaining cleanliness, keeping exits unobstructed, disposing of waste properly, and refraining from or preventing willful damage to the unit. One notable carve-out in § 475-11(F) places rodent extermination responsibility on the landlord when more than one unit in a building is infested, which tenants may find relevant if a pest issue extends beyond their individual unit. Tenants who believe a landlord is improperly attributing a code violation to them under this section may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization or contact the relevant city code enforcement office to understand how responsibilities are allocated.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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