Mount Vernon, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-60
Responsibilities of rooming house operators
Operative Text
Rooming house operators, in addition to their other responsibilities, shall be responsible for compliance with this chapter in regard to the following: A. Limiting occupancy to the maximum permitted by the standards herein. B. Maintenance of safe and sanitary conditions in all parts of rooming house premises. C. Maintenance and operation of all required service facilities. D. Maintenance of all plumbing, cooking and refrigeration fixtures and appliances within the operator's control, as well as other building equipment and facilities, in an operative, clean and sanitary condition. E. Sanitary maintenance of walls, floors and ceilings. F. Keeping exits clear and unencumbered. G. Disposal of building garbage and refuse in a clean and sanitary manner. H. Extermination of insects, rodents or other pests on the premises. I. Hanging and removing required screens.
Section 149-60 of Mount Vernon's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 149, establishes a specific set of responsibilities that rooming house operators bear for the condition and operation of their premises. The rule covers a broad range of obligations, from capping occupancy at permitted levels and maintaining sanitary walls, floors, and ceilings, to keeping exits clear, managing garbage disposal, controlling pests, and maintaining plumbing and other fixtures. These duties exist alongside any other obligations the operator may have under the broader chapter, meaning they are additive rather than exhaustive.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming houses in Mount Vernon should be familiar with the full list of duties enumerated in § 149-60, as compliance is required across all covered areas simultaneously. A compliant operator generally tracks occupancy against permitted maximums, schedules routine maintenance of plumbing, cooking, and refrigeration equipment, ensures exits remain unobstructed at all times, and arranges timely pest extermination and garbage removal. Keeping records of maintenance activities, screen installation and removal, and sanitation efforts can help demonstrate ongoing compliance with Chapter 149's standards.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of rooming houses in Mount Vernon are protected by the operator duties set out in § 149-60, which require the operator—not the tenant—to maintain safe and sanitary conditions throughout the premises, keep exits clear, control pests, and properly manage garbage. If conditions in a rooming house appear to fall short of these standards, tenants may consider documenting the issues and reporting them to the relevant Mount Vernon municipal code enforcement or housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New York housing law can also help residents understand what options may be available when an operator appears to be out of compliance with Chapter 149.
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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