Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 186 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 186-47
Additional duties and responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants
Operative Text
A. Buildings and structures. The owner, operator or occupant shall maintain each and every part of the building or structure free of all nuisances and any hazards to the safety of the occupants, pedestrians and all persons utilizing the premises or abutting roadways and maintain accessory structures and appurtenant equipment in suitable condition and good repair, capable of performing the function for which the same was designed or intended to be used, including but not limited to the following: (1) Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures that are not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be sealed and regularly treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative sufficient to prevent deterioration. All such surfaces shall be maintained free of excessive flaking, peeling and crumbling. (2) Every roof, wall, window, exterior door and hatchway shall be kept free from holes or leaks that would permit the entrance of water within any building or structure. (3) All buildings and structures shall be kept in a clean, sanitary and safe condition, free from litter, debris, rubbish, garbage, junk, vermin, rodents and health, safety and physical hazards of any kind. No building shall, except in emergency or ongoing construction, be boarded up in part or whole except by permission of the Code Enforcement Officer. (4) Foundations of every building and structure shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair so as to prevent the accumulation of moisture within the space enclosed by such foundation, and such foundation and any window or door thereon shall be protected against the entrance of rodents. (5) Roofs of every building or structure used for residence or commercial purposes shall be maintained weathertight. All roofs, gutters and downspouts shall be maintained in a good state of repair. (6) The exterior of every building and structure and all appurtenances thereto, both above and below the roof line, shall be maintained in good repair, in a safe condition and weathertight so as to resist decay or deterioration from any cause. (7) All exposed surfaces shall be maintained free of damaged, disintegrating, crumbling, broken or missing materials, excessive pitting or corrosion and unsafe defects, and all broken or missing glass panes shall be replaced. (8) The exterior of every building and structure shall be maintained free of buckled, sagging, broken, partially missing, rotted or decayed walls, doors, windows, porches, balconies, steps, stairways, railings, balusters, chimneys and decorative trim. The exterior of every building and structure shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises shall not constitute a blighting factor for adjoining property. B. Yards and open areas. The owner, occupant or other person having charge of any premises shall maintain the yards and open areas thereof in accordance with the following requirements: (1) Fences and retaining walls shall be maintained in a safe condition. (2) Steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas shall be maintained so as to afford safe passage under normal use and weather conditions. (3) All snow, ice and other obstruction upon any public sidewalk shall be removed for the length of the property frontage by the owner or occupant of the adjoining land as soon as possible following the cessation of snowfall or frozen precipitation. Whenever any such public sidewalk, or any part thereof, shall be coated with ice which cannot satisfactorily be removed, the owner and occupant of the premises abutting thereon shall as an alternative to said removal of the ice, cause such public sidewalks to be made safe and convenient for pedestrians by covering the ice with sand or other suitable substance. (4) All snow and ice accumulating higher than a point four inches below the bottom of the lowest outlet on any fire hydrant, and within a radius of three feet from the center of such hydrant, shall be removed by the owner and occupant of the premises adjoining the hydrant. (5) Dead and dying trees and limbs or other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating conditions or storm damage, constitute a hazard to persons in the vicinity thereof shall be removed. Heavy undergrowth and accumulation of plant growth which is noxious or detrimental to health shall be eliminated or removed. Trees, hedges, bushes, shrubs and vegetation of any kind shall be kept pruned or trimmed. (6) The yards and open areas of any premises shall be kept in a clean, sanitary and safe condition, free from litter, debris, rubbish, garbage, junk, vermin, rodents and health and safety hazards of any kind.
Section 186-47 of Massena's Code of Ordinances establishes a broad set of maintenance standards that apply to buildings, structures, yards, and open areas within the town. The rule requires that exterior surfaces, roofs, foundations, walls, windows, and appurtenances be kept weathertight, structurally sound, and free from deterioration, hazards, and unsanitary conditions. It also extends responsibilities to outdoor areas, including safe passage on walkways, timely snow and ice removal from public sidewalks and around fire hydrants, and the elimination of hazardous trees or overgrown vegetation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners and operators subject to § 186-47 generally keep all exterior building surfaces coated with paint or a suitable preservative, ensure roofs, gutters, downspouts, and foundations are weathertight and structurally sound, and promptly address broken glass, missing materials, or decayed structural elements. Compliant operators also maintain yards free of litter, debris, and vermin, keep fences and paved areas in safe condition, and ensure that sidewalks abutting their property are cleared of snow and ice as soon as practicable after precipitation ends. Boarding up any part of a building—outside of emergencies or active construction—requires prior permission from the Code Enforcement Officer under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Occupants also carry duties under § 186-47, including participating in snow and ice removal from abutting public sidewalks and keeping yards and open areas clean and free of hazards. If a building or structure is not being maintained in accordance with this section—such as a leaking roof, rodent infestation, or deteriorating exterior—tenants may report conditions to Massena's Code Enforcement Officer, who has authority to act on violations. Tenant-rights organizations or local legal aid services can help occupants understand how § 186-47 interacts with their lease and what remedies may be available.
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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