Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-23
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 subject. 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 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 or 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 spaces.
Section 475-23 of Fulton, N.Y.'s Code of Ordinances establishes baseline structural and environmental maintenance standards for all buildings. It requires that structures bear their own weight and imposed loads safely, that those loads transfer to the ground without harmful settling or movement, that structural members be shielded from deterioration caused by moisture, temperature cycles, corrosion, and insects, and that buildings on water-bearing soil keep groundwater and surface water out of habitable spaces. The rule applies continuously — not just at the time of construction — meaning the obligation to maintain these conditions is ongoing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-23 generally conduct regular inspections to confirm that structural systems remain capable of safely carrying design loads and that load paths to the soil remain sound. Compliant operators typically address known sources of deterioration — such as moisture intrusion, freeze-thaw damage, corrosion, and pest activity — before they compromise structural members. For buildings situated on seasonally water-bearing soil, operators commonly maintain drainage, waterproofing, and foundation systems sufficient to prevent groundwater from entering habitable areas.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 475-23 of Fulton's Code of Ordinances gives tenants a basis to raise concerns when a building shows signs of structural compromise, such as visible settling, sagging, water intrusion into living spaces, or evidence of unchecked pest damage to structural elements. Tenants who observe these conditions may report them to the local code enforcement or building department, which has authority to inspect and require corrective action. Tenant-rights organizations in New York can help residents understand how to document conditions and what local or state complaint processes may be available.
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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