Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-83
Responsibilities of occupants
Operative Text
Occupants of all dwelling units shall be responsible for compliance with the housing standards in regard to the following: A. Limiting occupancy of that part of the premises which they occupy or control to the maximum permitted by the housing standards. B. Maintenance of that part of the premises which they occupy or control in a clean, sanitary and safe condition. C. Maintenance of all plumbing, cooking and refrigeration fixtures and appliances, as well as other building equipment and storage facilities, in that part of the premises which they occupy or control in a clean and sanitary condition and providing reasonable care in the operation and use thereof. The occupant shall not allow anything but liquid to go down sink, bathtub or shower drains and shall not allow anything to go into toilet bowls or tanks which will clog the drain or hinder normal operation. D. Keeping exits from their dwelling unit and fire escapes and stairs clear and unencumbered. E. Disposal of garbage and refuse into provided facilities in a clean and sanitary manner. F. Extermination of insects, rodents or other pests within their dwelling unit if their unit is the only one infested in the premises. G. Hanging any required screens which they have removed. H. Keeping their domestic animals and pets in an appropriate manner and under control. (See Chapter 164 , Dogs and Other Animals, of the City of Ithaca Municipal Code.) I. If a rental dwelling unit, not permitting any person on the premises to willfully or wantonly destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the structure or dwelling unit or the facilities, equipment or appurtenances thereto nor do any such thing. J. If a rental dwelling unit, not removing or damaging safety equipment. K. If a rental unit, not permitting grease or other flammable material to accumulate in or on ranges and drains nor permitting any other condition to exist which is conducive to fire. Occupants shall be prohibited from accumulating or storing on residential premises, except in approved locations, any highly flammable or explosive matter, such as paints, volatile oils, cleaning fluids and similar materials, or any combustible refuse liable to spontaneous combustion, such as wastepaper, boxes, rags or similar materials. L. If a rental unit, not using or permitting anyone to use fireplaces without the permission of the landlord.
Section 210-83 of Ithaca's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 210, places a range of housing-standard responsibilities directly on the people who occupy dwelling units rather than on property owners. These responsibilities cover matters such as keeping occupied spaces clean and safe, properly using plumbing fixtures, keeping exits and fire escapes clear, disposing of garbage appropriately, controlling pests when only their unit is affected, and—for rental units specifically—avoiding damage to the structure, not removing safety equipment, preventing fire hazards, and not using fireplaces without landlord permission. The provision draws a clear line between what the occupant controls and what falls under the landlord's domain, assigning compliance duties to occupants for the portions of the premises they use or control.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 210-83 of Ithaca Code ch. 210, a range of maintenance and safety obligations shift to occupants for the areas they occupy or control, which means compliant operators generally document these responsibilities clearly in lease agreements so tenants understand what is expected of them. Landlords managing rental units benefit from noting the rental-specific subsections—covering property damage, safety equipment, fire hazards, and fireplace use—and from establishing written policies (such as requiring landlord permission before fireplace use) that align with the ordinance's requirements. Keeping records of the condition of units at move-in and communicating housing standards to tenants at the outset of tenancy are practices consistent with the framework this provision establishes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 210-83 of Ithaca Code ch. 210 sets out specific obligations that fall on occupants themselves, meaning tenants can be held responsible for conditions in the areas they occupy or control—such as keeping exits clear, properly using drains and plumbing, managing pests if only their unit is affected, and avoiding fire hazards in rental units. Understanding which responsibilities belong to the tenant versus the landlord under this provision can be important if a housing code violation is alleged, since the ordinance distinguishes between occupant-controlled and landlord-controlled areas. Tenants who have questions about how these responsibilities interact with their lease terms or a specific housing inspection may find it useful to consult a local tenant-rights organization or review resources provided by the City of Ithaca.
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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