Mount Vernon, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-45
Referral of violations
Operative Text
Whenever it is determined that the condition of a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit or premises is in violation of any applicable code which is not provided for by this chapter or which is provided for by a higher standard of such other law, code, ordinance or regulation, as provided in Article I , § 149-4 , such condition or violation shall be referred to the appropriate authority.
Section 149-45 of Mount Vernon's housing code establishes a referral mechanism for certain code violations. When an inspection or review reveals that a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, or premises fails to meet a standard that falls outside Chapter 149 or is governed by a stricter requirement under another law, code, ordinance, or regulation, the matter is directed to whichever authority has jurisdiction over that higher or separate standard. This provision ensures that no violation slips through the cracks simply because it is not specifically addressed by Chapter 149 itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 149-45 of Mount Vernon Code ch. 149, a compliant property owner or manager understands that a single inspection can trigger referrals to multiple agencies if the property's conditions implicate codes beyond Chapter 149. Operators generally maintain their dwellings, dwelling units, rooming houses, rooming units, and premises in conformance with all applicable local, state, and federal standards—not just those enumerated in Chapter 149—precisely because a violation of a higher or separate standard will be forwarded to the appropriate authority. Keeping thorough maintenance records and staying current with all overlapping regulatory requirements is a common practice among operators seeking to avoid multi-agency enforcement actions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 149-45 of Mount Vernon Code ch. 149 means that a housing condition affecting a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit, or premises does not have to fit neatly within Chapter 149 for action to be taken—inspectors are required to refer conditions that violate other applicable codes or higher standards to the authority responsible for enforcing them. Tenants who believe their living conditions may implicate building, fire, health, or other codes beyond Chapter 149 can report concerns to the City of Mount Vernon's relevant departments, which are then obligated to route the matter appropriately. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help identify which agencies may have jurisdiction over a particular type of condition.
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.
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