Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-17
General requirements
Operative Text
A. Buildings and parts thereof shall be maintained so as to be capable of sustaining safely their own weight and the loads to which they may be subject. B. Buildings shall be maintained so that loads are transmitted to the soil without undue differential settlement, unsafe deformation or movement of the building or of any structural parts. C. Buildings shall be maintained so that protection is provided for all structural members which may become structurally unsound if left unprotected. Causes of such deterioration include, among others, the action of freezing and thawing, dampness, corrosion, wetting and drying and termites and other destructive insects. D. Buildings built in soil which is water-bearing at any season of the year shall be maintained so that grounds- and surface water will not penetrate into habitable spaces.
Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-17 establishes baseline structural maintenance standards for all buildings. Under this provision, buildings must be kept structurally sound enough to bear their own weight and any imposed loads, with those loads transferred safely to the ground without harmful settling or movement. Structural members must be shielded from deterioration caused by moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, corrosion, and pests such as termites, and buildings on water-bearing soil must be kept free of groundwater and surface water intrusion into livable spaces.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-17 generally conduct routine inspections to identify signs of structural stress, settlement, moisture damage, corrosion, or pest activity before those conditions become unsafe. Compliant operators typically maintain protective treatments—such as waterproofing, pest-control measures, and corrosion-resistant coatings—on structural members exposed to the elements or soil contact. For buildings situated on seasonally water-bearing soil, operators commonly ensure that drainage systems and waterproofing barriers are functioning to prevent water from reaching habitable areas.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 215-17 of the Jamestown Code of Ordinances gives tenants a basis to raise concerns when a building shows signs of structural failure, excessive settling, moisture intrusion into living spaces, or evidence of pest-related structural damage. Tenants who observe such conditions may report them to the appropriate Jamestown code enforcement or housing inspection office, which has authority to inspect and require corrective action. Consulting a local tenant-rights organization can help tenants understand how a violation of § 215-17 might be raised in housing court or used as a defense in related proceedings.
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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