Niskayuna, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 139 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 139-4
Duty to maintain property
Operative Text
No person owning, leasing, renting, occupying, being in possession of or having charge of any property in the Town, including vacant lots, shall maintain or allow to be maintained on such property, except as may be permitted by any other Town ordinance, any of the following conditions: A. Junk, trash, litter, boxes, discarded lumber, salvage materials, or other similar materials in any front yard, side yard, rear yard, or vacant lot; B. Attractive nuisances dangerous to children, including, but not limited to, abandoned, broken or neglected equipment, machinery, refrigerators and freezers, excavation, wells, or shafts; C. Broken or discarded furniture, household equipment and furnishings in any front yard, side yard, rear yard, or vacant lot; D. Shopping carts in any front yard, side yard, rear yard, or vacant lot of any property; E. Graffiti or signs, not in compliance with the Town Zoning Code, on the exterior of any building, fence, or other structure in any front yard, side yard, or rear yard, or vacant lot; F. Vehicle component parts or other articles of personal property which are discarded or left in a state of partial construction or repair in any front yard, side yard, rear yard, or vacant lot; G. Any accumulation of weeds, brambles, berry vines, or other vegetation which is overgrowing any structure or which exceeds an average height of 10 inches, except that which is kept in a neat and orderly manner for human consumption, or any accumulation of dead organic matter, offal, rat harborages, stagnant water, combustible materials and similar materials, or conditions which would constitute a fire, health, or safety hazard. However, this does not apply to cultivated flowers or gardens. H. Dilapidation or state of filthiness or uncleanness of any dwelling or other structure which endangers health or life or which permits entrance by rats, mice, or other rodents, or by which conditions it attracts rats and other vermin; I. Any drainage that adversely affects neighboring properties; or J. Any violation of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
Niskayuna, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 139 § 139-4 establishes a broad duty for anyone who owns, leases, rents, occupies, or controls property in the Town — including vacant lots — to keep that property free of a defined list of hazardous or unsightly conditions. The prohibited conditions range from accumulated junk, litter, and discarded furniture in yards, to attractive nuisances dangerous to children, graffiti, overgrown vegetation exceeding ten inches in average height, and structural dilapidation that could attract vermin or endanger health. The rule also bars drainage that harms neighboring properties and any violation of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Cultivated flowers and gardens are explicitly carved out from the vegetation restrictions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 139 § 139-4, property owners and managers in Niskayuna generally keep all yards and vacant lots clear of junk, discarded furniture, shopping carts, vehicle parts, and similar debris, and ensure that no equipment or machinery is left in a condition that could constitute an attractive nuisance to children. Compliant operators routinely monitor vegetation height, address graffiti on exterior structures, maintain drainage so it does not adversely affect neighboring parcels, and keep all buildings in a state of cleanliness and structural soundness sufficient to prevent rodent entry. Staying current with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code is also part of meeting the obligations set out in this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 139-4 of the Niskayuna Code of Ordinances applies to anyone who occupies or is in possession of property, meaning tenants as well as owners share responsibility for not allowing prohibited conditions to exist on the premises they control. If a tenant believes a landlord is responsible for a condition — such as structural dilapidation, rodent harborages, or drainage problems — that falls under this provision, they may consider documenting the condition and reaching out to the Town of Niskayuna's code enforcement office to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help occupants understand how ch. 139 § 139-4 interacts with their lease obligations and any available remedies under New York State law.
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 10, 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
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation