N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2017
Definitions (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
When used in this article: Common area. The term "common area" means a portion of a multiple dwelling that is not within a dwelling unit and that is regularly used by occupants for access to and egress from any dwelling unit within such multiple dwelling, as well as commonly used areas such as a laundry room. Harborage. The term "harborage" means any condition which provides shelter or protection for pests. Indoor allergen hazard. The term "indoor allergen hazard" means any indoor infestation of cockroaches, mice, or rats or conditions conducive to such infestation, or an indoor mold hazard. Indoor mold hazard. The term "indoor mold hazard" means any condition of mold growth on an indoor surface, building structure or ventilation system, including mold that is within wall cavities, that is likely to cause harm to a person or that has been cited as a violation by the department. Integrated pest management. The term "integrated pest management" means ongoing prevention, monitoring and pest control activities to eliminate pests from any building, lot, or dwelling. This includes, but is not limited to, the elimination of harborages and conditions conducive to pests, the use of traps, and, when necessary, the use of pesticides. Pest. The term "pest" means any unwanted member of the Class Insecta, including, but not limited to houseflies, lice, bees, cockroaches, moths, silverfish, beetles, bedbugs, ants, termites, hornets, mosquitoes and wasps, and such members of the Phylum Arthropoda as spiders, mites, ticks, centipedes and wood lice, or of the Order Rodentia, including but not limited to mice, Norway rats, and any other unwanted plant, animal or fungal life that is a pest because it is destructive, annoying or a nuisance. Remediation or remediate. The term "remediation" or "remediate" means measures to eradicate pests in accordance with section 27-2017.8 and measures to eradicate indoor mold hazards in accordance with rules promulgated pursuant to section 27-2017.9 . Underlying defect. The term "underlying defect" means a condition that causes an indoor mold hazard, such as a water leak or water infiltration from plumbing or defective masonry pointing or other moisture condition, or causes an infestation of pests, including holes or entryway paths for pests. Visible mold. The term "visible mold" means mold that is readily identifiable by visual inspection, including mold that is behind furniture or other interior obstructions. (Am. L.L. 2018/055, 1/19/2018, eff. 1/19/2019; Am. L.L. 2019/051, 3/16/2019, retro. eff. 1/19/2019)
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2017 establishes the foundational vocabulary for New York City's housing maintenance rules governing pests, mold, and related hazards in multiple dwellings. Key terms defined here—such as "indoor allergen hazard," "integrated pest management," "harborage," "remediation," and "underlying defect"—set the precise meanings that apply throughout the article. These definitions shape how violations are identified, what conditions trigger landlord obligations, and how enforcement actions are framed by the city.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2017 should be familiar with how the law defines terms like "harborage," "underlying defect," and "integrated pest management," since these definitions directly determine what conditions constitute violations. Compliant operators generally address not just visible pest or mold problems but also the structural and moisture conditions that the code identifies as underlying defects. Understanding that "indoor allergen hazard" encompasses cockroach, mouse, and rat infestations as well as indoor mold hazards helps operators recognize the full scope of conditions they are expected to prevent and remediate.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 et seq. § 27-2017, tenants benefit from clearly defined terms that establish what qualifies as a pest, an indoor allergen hazard, visible mold, or an indoor mold hazard—definitions that underpin the city's enforcement framework. Because "indoor allergen hazard" includes cockroach, mouse, and rat infestations as well as mold conditions, tenants may find that a broader range of apartment conditions than they expected can be cited as violations by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Tenants who believe their unit contains such conditions can document them, report them to the relevant city agency, or consult a tenant-rights organization to understand how these definitions apply to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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