Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-73
Responsibilities of occupants
Operative Text
The occupant of a dwelling unit shall be responsible for compliance with the Property Rehabilitation and Conservation Code standards in regard to the following: A. Limiting occupancy of that part of the premises which he occupies or controls to the maximum permitted by the Property Rehabilitation and Conservation Code standards. B. Maintaining that part of the premises which he occupies or controls in a clean, sanitary and safe condition. C. Maintaining all plumbing, cooking and refrigeration fixtures and appliances, as well as other building equipment and storage facilities, in that part of the premises which he occupies or controls in a clean and sanitary condition, and providing reasonable care in the operation and use thereof. D. Disposing garbage and refuse into provided facilities in a clean and sanitary manner. E. Exterminating insects, rodents or other vermin within his dwelling unit if his unit is the only one infested in the premises. F. Hanging and removing required screens. G. Keeping his domestic animals and pets in a lawful manner.
Section 215-73 of Jamestown's Code of Ordinances places a set of maintenance and conduct responsibilities directly on the occupant of a dwelling unit, rather than on the property owner. These responsibilities include keeping the occupied space clean and safe, properly using and caring for plumbing and appliance fixtures, disposing of garbage appropriately, controlling pests when only their unit is affected, managing window screens, and keeping pets lawfully. The rule also requires occupants to stay within the maximum occupancy limits set by the Property Rehabilitation and Conservation Code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 215-73, Jamestown landlords should be aware that certain day-to-day maintenance obligations are legally assigned to tenants rather than to the property owner. Compliant operators typically document the condition of units at move-in and move-out, include lease language that mirrors these occupant responsibilities, and keep records of any notices sent when a tenant appears to be in violation. Understanding this division of responsibility can be relevant when addressing code complaints or disputes about the condition of an occupied unit.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 215-73 establishes that tenants in Jamestown bear direct responsibility for a range of conditions within the space they occupy or control, including cleanliness, safe use of fixtures, garbage disposal, pest control (when only their unit is infested), screens, and pet management. Tenants who receive a code violation notice related to these areas may wish to review the specific standards under the Property Rehabilitation and Conservation Code to understand what compliance looks like. Tenant-rights organizations in the Jamestown area can help occupants understand how these responsibilities interact with any obligations that remain with the landlord.
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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