Manchester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 252 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 252-20
Defacement of property
Operative Text
No person shall willfully or wantonly damage, mutilate or deface any exterior surface of any structure or building on any private or public property by placing thereon any marking, carving or graffiti. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to restore said surface to an approved state of maintenance and repair.
Manchester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 252 § 252-20 prohibits any person from intentionally damaging, mutilating, or defacing the exterior surface of a structure or building—whether on private or public property—through markings, carvings, or graffiti. Beyond the prohibition on the act itself, the rule places an affirmative obligation on the property owner to restore the affected surface to an approved state of maintenance and repair. The provision thus creates two distinct duties: one aimed at would-be vandals and one aimed at owners of affected properties.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Manchester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 252 § 252-20, property owners bear responsibility for restoring any exterior surface that has been defaced—regardless of who caused the damage. Compliant operators generally document graffiti or defacement promptly, arrange for timely removal or restoration, and keep records showing the surface was returned to an approved condition. Staying current with local code enforcement expectations around exterior maintenance can help owners demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Manchester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 252 § 252-20 makes clear that defacing any building exterior through graffiti, carvings, or other markings is prohibited, and that the property owner—not the tenant—carries the legal duty to restore the surface. If a tenant observes graffiti or defacement on a rental property that the owner is not addressing, they may consider documenting the condition and contacting the local code enforcement office to inquire about the owner's restoration obligations. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with local ordinances can help explain what options may be available in a given situation.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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