Middletown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 296 § 296-30

A. It shall be unlawful for any owner to permit the occupancy of any residential rental unit subject to this article, unless such unit has a current and valid rental permit. B. A rental permit shall be conspicuously posted inside each rental unit at or near the principal entrance at all times. It shall be unlawful for any owner, tenant or occupant to remove or fail to post the current rental permit. C. A rental permit shall state the identity of the owner; the address of the premises and owner(s); the identity of the current or proposed tenant(s); the date of inspection; and signature of the inspector. D. No permit shall be issued to a property owner who has a tenant who owns, or has the care or custody of, or harbors any dog weighing over 30 pounds unless the owner or tenant provides the Department of Public Works with proof that the owner or tenant has procured and is maintaining a liability policy with limits not less than $100,000, combined single limit bodily injury and property damage, for injury or damage caused by the dog. The requirements of this subsection shall apply separately to each such dog harbored on the premises. It shall be the continuing obligation of the permit holder to comply with the provisions of this subsection if such dogs are brought into or harbored on the subject premises during the term of the permit. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any dog that: (1) Is a trained service animal for persons with disabilities; (2) Has successfully completed the Canine Good Citizen Program of the American Kennel Club. E. There must be at least one operable fire extinguisher, 2A rated, in each dwelling unit of a permitted premises. F. Background checks. (1) Prior to accepting rent from any new tenant(s), the property owner must provide the City with written proof of a background check of such tenant(s) conducted by an entity engaged in the business of performing background checks of prospective tenants. The background check must include: (a) A credit report; (b) Criminal background report, provided, however, that such report must be limited to violent felony convictions occurring in the past seven years and to violent misdemeanor convictions occurring in the past five years. Prior to requesting the criminal background report, the person or entity seeking the rental permit must inform the lease applicant, in writing or in the same manner in which the lease application was made, that a criminal background check may be requested in connection with such application; (c) Employment verification; (d) Rental database (eviction) search; and (e) Current landlord/residence check. (2) The background check should include an application requiring the tenant to provide information, including, but not limited to, his or her name, past rental history, including prior landlords, information on employment, income, savings, and personal and credit references.