Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 186 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 186-18
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 part. 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, 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 ground and surface water will not penetrate into habitable spaces, basements and cellars.
Section 186-18 of Massena's Code of Ordinances establishes baseline structural and moisture-protection standards for all buildings. Under this provision, structures must be capable of bearing their own weight and imposed loads safely, with forces transmitted to the ground in a way that avoids dangerous settling or deformation. The rule also requires that structural members be shielded from deterioration caused by factors such as freeze-thaw cycles, dampness, corrosion, and insects, and that buildings on water-bearing soil be kept free of groundwater intrusion in habitable spaces, basements, and cellars.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to ch. 186 § 186-18 generally conduct routine inspections to confirm that load-bearing elements remain sound and that foundations show no signs of undue settlement or movement. Compliant property managers also maintain protective treatments—such as moisture barriers, corrosion-resistant coatings, and pest-control measures—on structural members vulnerable to freeze-thaw damage, dampness, or insect activity. For properties situated on seasonally water-bearing soil, maintaining effective waterproofing and drainage systems to prevent groundwater from entering habitable areas, basements, or cellars is a core obligation under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 186-18 gives occupants a basis to raise concerns when a building shows signs of structural compromise—such as visible settling, sagging members, or persistent water intrusion in basements or living spaces—because these conditions may constitute violations of Massena's property maintenance code. Tenants who observe such conditions can document them with photographs and written records, and may report them to the local code enforcement office in Massena for inspection. Tenant-rights organizations or a housing attorney can help residents understand how a violation of § 186-18 might be relevant to habitability claims or other remedies available under New York law.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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