New Rochelle, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 174 § 174-10
Rooming house permit
Operative Text
A. No person shall operate a rooming house unless he or she holds a valid rooming house permit issued by the Building Official in the name of the operator and for the specific dwelling or dwelling unit. The fee for such permit shall be as set forth in Chapter 133 , Fees. B. The operator must be a fit and proper person to operate a rooming house, and the rooming house which he intends to operate must be in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. C. This permit shall be displayed in a conspicuous place within the rooming house at all times. D. No such permit shall be transferable. Every person holding such permit shall give notice, in writing, to the Building Official within 24 hours after having sold, transferred, given away or otherwise disposed of ownership of, interest in or control of any rooming house. Such notice shall include the name and address of the person succeeding to the ownership or control of such rooming house. E. Every rooming house permit shall expire on December 31 of the year of issuance unless sooner suspended or revoked as hereinafter provided. F. Modification, suspension or revocation. (1) The permit to operate a rooming house may be modified, suspended or revoked by the Building Official or his or her designee. Such action may be taken because of: (a) Failure to comply with one or more of the provisions of this chapter. (b) Refusal to permit inspection. (c) Mistake in the issuance of the permit. (d) False statements on the application for the permit. (e) The permittee's conviction of a crime. (f) Any act or conduct of the permittee which indicates his unfitness to operate a rooming house. (g) Any activity which affects the safety or tranquility of the surrounding community. (h) Any other good reason. (2) Before a permit may be modified, suspended or revoked, the permittee shall have the opportunity to be heard, except that a permit may be temporarily suspended pending a hearing.
Section 174-10 of the New Rochelle Code of Ordinances establishes that operating a rooming house requires a valid permit issued by the Building Official, tied to a specific operator and property. The permit must be visibly posted on the premises at all times, expires at year-end, and cannot be transferred to another person or property. The Building Official holds authority to modify, suspend, or revoke a permit for a range of reasons—including code violations, false application statements, or conduct affecting community safety—though the permit holder is generally entitled to a hearing before final action is taken.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 174-10, compliant rooming house operators obtain and maintain a current permit from the Building Official before beginning operations, ensuring the permit is conspicuously displayed within the property at all times. Because the permit is non-transferable, operators who sell or otherwise transfer ownership or control of the rooming house are required to notify the Building Official in writing within 24 hours of that transaction, including the successor's name and address. Operators also keep the property in ongoing compliance with Chapter 174's requirements, since failure to do so—along with refusal to allow inspections or any conduct indicating unfitness—can trigger permit modification, suspension, or revocation proceedings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 174-10 means that any rooming house operating in New Rochelle must hold a valid, currently displayed permit from the Building Official; if no permit is visible or the operator appears to have changed without proper notice, that may indicate a compliance issue worth investigating. Tenants who have concerns about whether their rooming house is properly permitted or is being operated in a way that affects safety or community tranquility can contact the New Rochelle Building Official, who has authority under this section to investigate and take action against non-compliant operators. Local tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what avenues—such as filing a complaint with the Building Official—are generally available under § 174-10.
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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