Pelham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 54 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 54-76
Insects, vermin and rodents
Operative Text
A. The exterior of every residential building shall be so equipped and maintained as to be free of insects, vermin and rodents. B. From May 1 to October 1, every window or other device with openings to the outdoors, used or intended to be used for ventilation, shall be effectively protected against the entrance of insects by equipping same with approved screening. C. The owner of a dwelling unit shall be responsible for providing and hanging all screens and double or storm doors and windows in said dwelling unit whenever such are required under the provisions of this code or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to same, except where there is a written agreement between owner and occupant. However, such screening shall not be required in rooms deemed by the Enforcement Officer to be located high enough in the building as to be free from insects and in rooms located in areas of Village of Pelham that are deemed by the Enforcement Officer to have so few insects as to render screens unnecessary. D. Where a vermin or rodent problem exists, every openable window, exterior door and any other opening that is two (2) feet or less above ground level or can be reached by vermin or rodents by crawling or climbing pipes, wires, cornices, stairs, roofs, trees or vines or by burrowing shall be screened or protected with acceptable wire mesh or other approved materials. Defects, cracks and holes shall be tightly sealed to prevent the entrance of said pests. E. Skirting, lattice or other nonratproofed enclosure creating a possible rodent harborage under a porch or any portions of a building shall be ratproofed at all locations where a rat could find, burrow or gnaw an access opening.
Section 54-76 of Pelham's Code of Ordinances requires that residential building exteriors be kept free of insects, vermin, and rodents at all times. Between May 1 and October 1, any window or ventilation opening must be fitted with approved screening to block insects from entering. When rodent or vermin activity is present, openings within two feet of the ground—or reachable by climbing or burrowing—must be sealed or covered with wire mesh, and any porch skirting or enclosures that could harbor rats must be ratproofed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 54-76, property owners are generally responsible for supplying and installing all required screens, storm doors, and windows in dwelling units unless a written agreement shifts that duty to the occupant. Compliant operators typically inspect exterior openings seasonally, ensure approved screening is in place by May 1, and seal cracks, holes, and low-level openings whenever a vermin or rodent problem is identified. Porch skirting and similar enclosures that could serve as rodent harborage should be ratproofed, and owners should be aware that the Enforcement Officer has authority under § 54-76 to grant exceptions for units located high enough or in areas with sufficiently few insects.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 54-76 establishes that the building owner—not the tenant—bears primary responsibility for providing and maintaining required screens and pest-proofing measures, unless a written agreement states otherwise. If a tenant observes unscreened openings during the May 1–October 1 window, evidence of rodent or vermin entry, or unsealed gaps near ground level, these conditions may constitute a code violation that can be reported to the Village of Pelham's Enforcement Officer. Tenants may also wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand how a § 54-76 violation could be raised in housing proceedings or used to support a complaint.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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