Mount Vernon, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-16
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.
Mount Vernon Code ch. 149 § 149-16 establishes baseline structural and environmental maintenance standards for all buildings. Under this provision, structures must be capable of bearing their own weight and imposed loads, must transfer those loads to the ground without unsafe settling or movement, and must protect structural members from deterioration caused by moisture, temperature cycling, corrosion, and pests such as termites. Buildings situated in seasonally water-bearing soil must also be maintained to prevent groundwater and surface water from entering habitable spaces, basements, and cellars.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Mount Vernon Code ch. 149 § 149-16 generally keep buildings in a condition where structural integrity is continuously verified and maintained. Compliant operators routinely inspect for signs of foundation movement, wood rot, corrosion, pest activity, and moisture intrusion, and address identified deficiencies before they compromise load-bearing capacity. For properties on water-bearing soil, operators typically maintain waterproofing systems, drainage measures, and other barriers to prevent water from reaching habitable areas, basements, and cellars.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Mount Vernon may have protections under ch. 149 § 149-16 if their building shows signs of structural failure, uncontrolled settling, pest-related deterioration, or water intrusion into living spaces, basements, or cellars. These conditions may constitute code violations that can be reported to the appropriate Mount Vernon building or housing enforcement office, and a documented violation may be relevant in housing court proceedings. Tenants experiencing such conditions can also reach out to local tenant-rights organizations to better understand the general enforcement paths available to them.
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 7, 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
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.