Gloversville, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 170 § 170-2
Definitions; word usage
Operative Text
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter. A. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: APPROVED Constructed, installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and other pertinent ordinances or regulations of the City of Gloversville or applicable therein. BUILDING Any structure having a roof for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or property of any kind. ENFORCEMENT OFFICER The Fire Chief or his agents as listed in § 102-33 of this Code. EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS Open space on the premises and vacant open space on adjacent premises. EXTERMINATION The control and elimination of insects, rodents or other pests by eliminating their harborage places, by removing, or making inaccessible, materials that may serve as their food by any recognized and legal pest elimination method approved by the enforcement officer. GARBAGE The animal, vegetable and mineral waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food. GARBAGE AND REFUSE The accumulation or storage of garbage, refuse and/or junk in public halls or stairways shall be prohibited. GRADE Natural surface of the ground, or surface of the ground after completion of any change in contour, including the completed surfaces of lawns, walks and roads brought to grade as shown on official plans or designs relating thereto. HABITABLE ROOM A room or enclosed floor space used or intended to be used for living, sleeping, cooking or eating purposes, excluding stairways, bathrooms, water closet compartments, laundries, pantries, foyers, communicating corridors, closets or storage spaces. INFESTATION The presence, within or around a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit or premises, of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests. JUNK/DEBRIS Motorized vehicle parts, broken tools, broken toys, tires, paint cans, construction waste (glass, wood, plastic, metal, rubber), appliances, mattresses, abundance of recyclable items (newspapers, magazines, etc.), broken or unusable furniture, and interior furniture. OCCUPANT Any person, including an owner or operator over one (1) year of age, living, sleeping, cooking or eating in or having actual possession of a dwelling unit or room in a rooming house. OPENABLE AREA Any part of a window or door which is available for unobstructed ventilation and which opens directly to the outdoors. OPERATOR Any person having charge, care, management or control of any dwelling, or part of it, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let. OWNER Any person who, alone, jointly or severally with others, holds legal or equitable title to any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit. PERSON An individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership. PLUMBING Includes all of the following supplied facilities and equipment: gas pipes, gas-burning equipment, water pipes, garbage disposal units, waste pipes, water closets, sinks, installed dishwashers, lavatories, bathtubs, shower baths, installed clothes-washing machines, catch basins, drains, vents and any other similar supplied fixtures, together with all connections to water, sewer or gas lines. PREMISES A platted lot or part thereof or unplatted lot or parcel of land or plot of land, either occupied or unoccupied by any dwelling or nondwelling structure, including the dwelling or structures thereon. PUBLIC HALL Any hall, corridor or passageway not within the exclusive control of one (1) family. ROOMING HOUSE Any dwelling or part thereof which contains one (1) or more rooming units in which space is let by the occupant or owner to three (3) or more persons not directly related to him. ROOMING UNIT Any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living or sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes. RUBBISH All combustible and noncombustible waste, except garbage. SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING A dwelling occupied by one (1) family alone. SUPPLIED Paid for, furnished or provided by or under the control of the owner or operator, his agents and/or representatives. WATER CLOSETS A toilet, with a bowl and trap, which is connected to the city water and sewer system or to other approved water supply and sewer system. B. Meanings of certain words. Whenever the words "building," "dwelling," "dwelling unit," "rooming house" and "premises" are used in this chapter, they shall be construed as though they were followed by the words "or any part thereof."
Section 170-2 of Gloversville's Code of Ordinances establishes the foundational vocabulary for the city's housing and property maintenance chapter. Terms such as 'owner,' 'operator,' 'occupant,' 'habitable room,' 'infestation,' and 'junk/debris' are given specific meanings that govern how all other provisions in Chapter 170 are interpreted and enforced. Notably, the definitions clarify that key terms like 'building,' 'dwelling,' and 'premises' apply to any part of those structures, not just the whole. The section also explicitly prohibits the accumulation or storage of garbage, refuse, and junk in public halls or stairways.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and operators subject to Chapter 170 should familiarize themselves with the definitions in § 170-2, as these terms set the scope of their responsibilities throughout the chapter. For example, the definitions of 'owner' and 'operator' are broad enough to encompass anyone holding legal or equitable title or exercising management control, meaning responsibilities can apply to multiple parties simultaneously. Compliant operators generally ensure that public halls and stairways remain free of garbage, refuse, and junk as explicitly required under the 'Garbage and Refuse' definition in § 170-2, and that extermination methods used on their properties are approved by the Enforcement Officer.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in dwellings covered by Chapter 170 benefit from the clear definitions established in § 170-2, which set the baseline for what landlords and operators are responsible for maintaining. For instance, the definition of 'infestation' in § 170-2 covers the presence of insects, rodents, or other pests within or around a dwelling, which can be relevant when raising concerns about habitability conditions. Tenants who believe conditions in their building violate Chapter 170 may consider contacting the Enforcement Officer—identified in § 170-2 as the Fire Chief or designated agents—or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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