Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-50
Buildings and structures
Operative Text
A. Exterior surfaces, including but not limited to foundations, roofs, floors, walls, ceilings, doors and windows of buildings and structures, shall be maintained free from deterioration, including general dilapidation or specific instances of peeling, disrepair, warping, splintering or rotting. B. Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures not inherently resistant to deterioration by the natural elements shall be periodically treated by appropriate means and materials suitable for preservation of said exterior. C. Graffiti shall be removed from all exterior surfaces, upon all buildings and structures and all interior surfaces in public space. D. Buildings and structures shall be maintained in such condition so that they shall not become an unoccupied hazard. E. The owner of a vacant building shall take such steps and perform such acts as may be required of him by the Bureau Chief from time to time to ensure that the building and its adjoining yards remain safe and secure and do not present a hazard to adjoining property or the public. If a board-up is required by the Director, the standards shall be: (1) The first-floor front entry door to the structure shall be secured with a padlock, and any windows therein shall be boarded as hereinafter provided. (2) All other doors, windows and other openings below the second-floor level shall be covered with one-half-inch CDX plywood or other CDX wood composition boards sized to fit the window or door frame, leaving a two-inch opening at the top of said opening for natural light, painted with an earth-tone exterior paint and secured to the frame of the opening with No. 8 coated nails, every 12 inches on center. F. Buildings/structures shall be maintained free from trash, debris, rubbish and garbage.
Section 475-50 of Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 establishes maintenance standards for the exterior surfaces of all buildings and structures, requiring that they be kept free from deterioration such as peeling, warping, rotting, or general dilapidation. Surfaces that are not naturally resistant to the elements must be periodically treated with appropriate preservative materials. The provision also requires graffiti removal from exterior surfaces and interior public spaces, prohibits buildings from becoming unoccupied hazards, and mandates that vacant structures be kept safe and secure. Properties must additionally be kept clear of trash, debris, rubbish, and garbage.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under § 475-50 of Fulton's Code of Ordinances generally conduct routine inspections of exterior surfaces—foundations, roofs, walls, doors, and windows—to catch and address deterioration before it advances. Compliant operators apply weather-resistant treatments or coatings to surfaces that are not inherently resistant to the elements and promptly remove any graffiti that appears. Owners of vacant buildings are expected to respond to directives from the Bureau Chief regarding securing the property, which may include installing padlocked entry doors and covering lower-level openings with half-inch CDX plywood painted in an earth-tone color, following the specific board-up standards outlined in § 475-50(E).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 475-50 of Fulton's Code of Ordinances establishes that tenants have an interest in living in buildings whose exterior surfaces, structural elements, and common areas are maintained free from deterioration, graffiti, and accumulated debris. If a tenant observes conditions such as rotting walls, broken windows, or trash accumulation that appear to violate these standards, they may document those conditions and report them to the appropriate local code enforcement authority in Fulton. Tenants can also consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand how a landlord's failure to meet the maintenance requirements of § 475-50 might be raised in relevant proceedings.
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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