Montour Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 108 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 108-5
Exterior standards
Operative Text
The exterior of the premises and the condition of structures shall be maintained so that the premises and all buildings shall reflect a level of maintenance in keeping with the standards of the community and shall not constitute blight from the point of view of adjoining property owners or lead to the progressive deterioration of the neighborhood. Such maintenance shall include, without limitation, the following: A. Foundations, porches, decks, steps and walls shall be in good condition. B. Vent attachments shall be safe, durable, smoketight and capable of withstanding the action of flue gases. C. Exterior balconies, porches, landings, stairs and fire escapes shall be provided with banisters or railings properly designed, installed and maintained to minimize the hazard of falling and unsightly appearance. D. All permanent signs and billboards exposed to public view permitted by reason of other regulations or as a lawful nonconforming use shall be maintained in good repair. Any signs that have become excessively weathered, those upon which the paint has excessively peeled or those whose supports have deteriorated so that they no longer meet the structural requirements of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code shall, with their supports, be removed or put into a good state of repair. All nonoperative or broken electrical signs shall be repaired or shall, with their supports, be removed. Signs denoting a business which is no longer on the premises shall be removed within 30 days of the date on which the business ceases to occupy the premises. E. All storefronts and walls exposed to public view shall be kept in a good state of repair. Storefronts or any portion of the structure shall not show evidence of excessive weathering or deterioration of any nature. Unoccupied storefronts shall be maintained in a clean and neat appearance. F. Any awnings or marquees and accompanying structural members shall be maintained in a good state of repair. In the event that said awnings or marquees are made of cloth, plastic or of a similar material and are exposed to public view, such material shall not show evidence of excessive weathering, discoloration, ripping, tearing, holes or other deterioration. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize any encroachment on streets, sidewalks or other parts of the public domain. G. All vacant buildings shall be continuously guarded or sealed and kept secure against unauthorized entry. Materials and methods with which such buildings are sealed must meet the approval of the Zoning Officer as to color, design and building material. Owners of such buildings shall take such steps and perform such acts as may be required to ensure that the building and its adjoining yards remain safe and secure and do not present a hazard to adjoining property or to the public and that such property does not become infested with vermin or rodents. H. Exterior walls, including doors and windows and the areas around doors, windows, chimneys and other parts of the building, shall be so maintained as to keep water from entering the building. Materials which have been damaged or show evidence of dry rot or other deterioration shall be repaired or replaced and refinished in a workmanlike manner. I. All exposed exterior surfaces shall be maintained free of broken or cracked glass, loose shingles or loose or crumbling stones or bricks, loose shutters, railings, aerials, excessive peeling paint or other conditions reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance. Said conditions shall be corrected by repair or removal. All exposed exterior surfaces of structures not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be coated, treated or sealed to protect them from deterioration or weathering. Wood, masonry or other exterior materials that will naturally resist deterioration do not have to be treated but must be otherwise maintained in a sound, secure workmanlike manner. Exterior surfaces that have been painted or otherwise coated must be maintained in a neat, orderly, serviceable manner. Floors, walls, ceilings, stairs and fixtures of buildings shall be maintained in a clean, safe, sanitary condition. Every floor, exterior wall, roof, porch or appurtenance thereto shall be maintained in a manner so as to prevent the collapse of the same or injury to the occupants of the building or to the public. J. Roof drains, overflow pipes, air-conditioning drains and any other device used to channel water off or out of a building shall be maintained in a safe and operable condition and shall not drain onto a public sidewalk, walkway, street, alleyway or adjoining property. K. Lawns shall be cut and bushes, shrubs and hedges shall be trimmed regularly during the growing season so as to avoid an unsightly appearance.
Section 108-5 of the Montour Falls Code of Ordinances establishes comprehensive exterior maintenance standards for all buildings and premises within the village. The rule requires that structures—including foundations, walls, roofs, signs, awnings, storefronts, and landscaping—be kept in good repair and free from deterioration, so that properties do not become blighted or contribute to neighborhood decline. Vacant buildings must be secured against unauthorized entry, and drainage systems must be maintained so water does not flow onto public walkways or neighboring properties. The provision covers everything from structural soundness to cosmetic upkeep, reflecting a community-wide standard of appearance and safety.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Montour Falls Code ch. 108 § 108-5 generally keep all exterior elements—foundations, porches, railings, walls, roofs, signs, awnings, and storefronts—in continuous good repair and free from visible deterioration. Compliant operators ensure that vacant buildings are sealed with materials approved by the Zoning Officer, that drainage devices do not discharge onto sidewalks or adjacent lots, and that lawns and shrubs are trimmed regularly during the growing season. Business signs must be removed within 30 days after a tenant vacates, and any broken or nonoperative electrical signs must be repaired or removed along with their supports. Maintaining documentation of routine inspections and repairs can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with the provision's broad scope.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Montour Falls Code ch. 108 § 108-5, tenants living in or adjacent to properties covered by this provision have an interest in exterior conditions that affect safety and habitability—such as deteriorating railings, unsecured vacant buildings, or drainage that floods walkways. If exterior conditions appear to violate the standards described in § 108-5, residents may consider reporting concerns to the village's Zoning Officer, who is specifically named in the provision as the approving authority for vacant-building sealing materials. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing advocacy groups can help explain how exterior code violations may relate to broader habitability rights or lease obligations. Keeping dated photographs of any concerning conditions can be useful when communicating with local officials.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation