Gloversville, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 170 § 170-11
Rooming houses
Operative Text
A. No person shall operate a rooming house unless he holds a valid rooming house permit issued by the enforcement officer. Such permit is not transferable and shall apply only to the structure for which it is issued. Compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall entitle the owner or operator of a rooming house to such permit, and failure to comply shall call for its refusal or revocation. Every rooming house permit shall expire at the end of one year following its date of issuance. B. Every rooming house and room shall be in compliance with the minimum standards for dwellings set forth in this chapter as to light, ventilation, heating, space requirements and such other provisions as are applicable. C. Every rooming house shall be equipped with at least one flush water closet, one lavatory and one tub or shower for each eight persons or fraction thereof within the rooming house, including members of the family if they are to share the use of the facilities. In rooming houses in which rooms are let only to males, flush urinals may be substituted for not more than 1/2 of the required number of water closets. All such facilities shall be properly connected to the water supply and sewer system. D. Every flush water closet, flush urinal, lavatory, tub or shower required shall be located in a room or rooms which: (1) Affords privacy. (2) Is accessible by a common hall without going outside the rooming house. (3) Is accessible from a common hall without going through sleeping quarters of others. (4) Is not more than one story removed from the room of an occupant intended to share the facilities. E. Where bedding, bed linen or towels are supplied, the operator shall maintain the bedding in a clean and sanitary manner and shall furnish clean bed linen and towels at least once each week and prior to the letting of any room to an occupant.
Section 170-11 of Gloversville's Code of Ordinances establishes operating requirements for rooming houses within the city. Operators must hold a valid, non-transferable permit issued by the enforcement officer, which expires annually and may be refused or revoked for non-compliance. The provision also sets minimum standards for sanitary facilities—including toilets, lavatories, and bathing fixtures at defined ratios—and requires that any bedding or linens supplied by the operator be kept clean and changed at least weekly and before each new occupant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 170-11, a compliant rooming house operator secures and renews a rooming house permit from the enforcement officer each year, since the permit is non-transferable and expires after twelve months. Operators generally ensure that the required number of flush water closets, lavatories, and tubs or showers are properly connected to water and sewer systems and are accessible via common hallways without passing through other occupants' sleeping quarters. Where bedding, bed linen, or towels are provided, compliant operators maintain those items in a sanitary condition and replace them at least once per week and before any new occupant takes a room.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 170-11 gives rooming house residents the right to occupy a facility that holds a valid permit and meets minimum standards for sanitation, light, ventilation, heating, and space. Tenants are entitled to accessible, private bathroom facilities at the ratios specified in the ordinance, and—where linens or bedding are supplied—to clean replacements at least weekly and before they first occupy a room. Residents who believe these standards are not being met may raise a violation as a defense in relevant proceedings, file a complaint with the appropriate local enforcement officer, or consult a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options under § 170-11.
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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