Great Neck Plaza, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 124 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 124-45
Buildings and structures
Operative Text
A. Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures that are not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative when they become unsightly as the term "unsightly" is defined in § 124-47E(3) of this section. B. Floor, walls, ceilings, furnishings and fixtures of residential buildings shall be maintained in clean and sanitary condition. All interior built-in cabinets shall be maintained so that doors and drawers are operable and capable of being tightly closed. C. Accessory structures shall be maintained so as to be free of conditions detrimental to safety or health. D. Painted or coated exterior surfaces. The painted or coated exterior surfaces of a multiple dwelling, hotel and specialized senior housing facility shall be repainted, recoated or covered with a substitute by the owner, at the owner's expense, whenever the Building Department determines that said surfaces are in an unsanitary or unsightly condition as defined in § 124-47E(3). All surfaces shall be painted or recoated in a manner so as to thoroughly and uniformly cover all previous coats of paint or coating. E. The owner of every multiple dwelling, hotel and specialized senior housing facility shall be required to comply with the requirements of this subsection in connection with painting or otherwise covering with a suitable substitute the interior surfaces of all walls and ceilings throughout all public and tenant-occupied parts of the multiple dwelling, hotel and specialized senior housing facility. These requirements are as follows: (1) Repainting; surface coverings. (a) Painted surfaces. The painted walls and ceilings in all public and tenant-occupied parts of a multiple dwelling, hotel and specialized senior housing facility shall be repainted or covered with a substitute by the owner, at the owner's expense, whenever the Building Department, its inspectors and/or assistants determine that said surfaces are in an unsanitary or unsightly condition, provided that in no event shall any painted walls or ceilings be repainted less frequently than once every three years. All surfaces shall be painted in a manner so as to thoroughly and uniformly cover all previous coats of paint, and kitchens and bathrooms shall be painted with a washable paint. (b) Surface coverings. Walls and ceilings in all public and tenant-occupied parts of a multiple dwelling, hotel and specialized senior housing facility which have a surface covering shall be recovered or painted by the owner, at the owner's expense, whenever the Building Department, its inspectors and/or its assistants determine that said surface coverings are in an unsanitary or unsightly condition. No surface covering shall be placed upon a wall or ceiling unless all existing wallpaper or other surface covering shall be first removed therefrom and such wall or ceiling thoroughly cleaned and repaired. (2) Private agreements. (a) Repainting; tenant waiver and certification. An owner need not repaint all or a portion of a tenant-occupied part of a multiple dwelling, hotel or specialized senior housing facility after the expiration of three years from the time said premises were last repainted if the tenant agrees in writing to waive such repainting because it is not necessary, provided that said tenant has been an occupant of the dwelling unit for at least one year and provided further that the Building Department, its inspectors and/or assistants inspect the premises and verify in writing that repainting of part or all of the premises is unnecessary since the premises or the relevant portion thereof is not in an unsanitary or unsightly condition. (b) Tenant credit for painting. An owner may satisfy the requirement of this subsection with respect to tenant-occupied parts of a multiple dwelling by permitting the tenant, with consent of the tenant and at the tenant's expense, to repaint and/or place suitable surface coverings on walls and/or ceilings, provided that the owner pays to the tenant an amount equivalent to that which it would cost to repaint that portion of the tenant-occupied premises which the owner is required to repaint and/or recover as evidenced by a written estimate furnished by a painter mutually agreed upon by the owner and tenant. This subsection shall have no applicability in the case of hotels or specialized senior housing facilities. (3) Unsightly; definition. The term "unsightly" when used in this subsection and Subsections A and D shall mean deteriorated, defaced, discolored, stained, peeled, blistered, cracked or spalled but shall not relate to the consistency of color combinations intentionally selected. (4) Compliance. Each owner shall be required to furnish the Building Department with such information in such form and within such period of time as is requested by the Building Department in connection with the enforcement of this subsection, and the failure of any owner to do so shall constitute a violation of the provisions of this subsection. Any owner who provides false or misleading information to the Building Department shall also violate the provisions of this subsection.
Great Neck Plaza Code ch. 124 § 124-45 requires that exterior surfaces of buildings be protected against deterioration with paint or a suitable coating whenever they become unsightly, and that interior walls, ceilings, floors, and fixtures in residential buildings be kept clean and sanitary. Owners of multiple dwellings, hotels, and specialized senior housing facilities must repaint or recover interior surfaces at least once every three years—or sooner if the Building Department finds them unsanitary or unsightly. Tenants may agree in writing to waive a repainting cycle if the premises are in acceptable condition and the Building Department verifies that in writing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 124 § 124-45, compliant operators of multiple dwellings, hotels, and specialized senior housing facilities track the three-year repainting cycle for all public and tenant-occupied spaces, use washable paint in kitchens and bathrooms, and respond promptly when the Building Department flags surfaces as unsanitary or unsightly. Owners bear the cost of repainting and must ensure new coats thoroughly and uniformly cover prior ones. Operators also maintain accurate records and respond to any Building Department information requests, since failure to do so—or providing false information—constitutes a separate violation under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 124-45 gives residents of covered multiple dwellings, hotels, and specialized senior housing facilities the right to have interior walls and ceilings repainted at least every three years, at the owner's expense. If surfaces appear deteriorated, peeled, stained, or otherwise unsightly as defined in § 124-45E(3), tenants can report conditions to the Great Neck Plaza Building Department, which has authority to inspect and order repainting. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand options such as waiver agreements or credit arrangements under this provision.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation