Hornell, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 178 § 178-8
Occupancy classification
Operative Text
Buildings, for the purpose of this Part 1 , shall be classified in respect to their occupancies as follows: A. One- and two-family dwellings: buildings containing one or dwelling units with fewer than four lodgers residing with a family in either one of such dwelling units. B. Multiple dwellings: buildings containing one or two dwelling units with more than four lodgers with a family in either one of such dwelling units. C. Buildings containing three or more dwelling units. D. Apartment houses and apartment hotels. E. Lodging houses. F. Buildings with sleeping accommodations for more than five persons used or occupied as a club, dormitory, fraternity or sorority house or for similar uses. G. Garden apartments. H. Accessory structures: garages, carports and similar-type structures on residential premises.
Section 178-8 of Hornell's Code of Ordinances (ch. 178) establishes a classification system that sorts residential buildings into distinct occupancy categories based on the number of dwelling units, the number of lodgers, and the type of use. Categories range from single- and two-family homes with few lodgers all the way to apartment houses, lodging houses, dormitories, fraternity or sorority houses, garden apartments, and accessory structures like garages. The category a building falls into determines how other provisions of Part 1 apply to that property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 178-8, property owners and managers should understand which occupancy classification applies to each building they operate, since that classification governs how the rest of Part 1's requirements are applied. For example, a building with three or more dwelling units falls under a different category than a one- or two-family home with fewer than four lodgers, and a structure used as a dormitory or fraternity house carries its own distinct classification. Operators generally keep records that accurately reflect the current use and occupancy of their properties so that the correct regulatory framework is applied.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 178-8 of Hornell's ch. 178 defines the occupancy category of the building where a tenant lives, which in turn shapes which housing code protections and obligations apply to that dwelling. Tenants living in multiple dwellings, apartment houses, lodging houses, or similar classified structures may have access to different sets of rights than those in smaller one- or two-family homes. If a tenant believes their building has been misclassified or that the wrong standards are being applied, they may consider contacting Hornell's local code enforcement office or a tenant-rights organization for general information.
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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