Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-137
Maintenance of electrical wiring and devices
Operative Text
(a) Electrical wiring and devices located in a structure used for human habitation shall be so designed, installed and maintained as not to be a potential source of ignition of combustible material or an electrical hazard. (b) The rating or setting of overcurrent devices shall not be in excess of the carrying capacity of the circuit conductor. (c) Defective wiring and equipment shall be repaired or replaced. No temporary wiring shall be installed as a permanent method of wiring. Extension cords shall be run directly from portable electrical fixtures or appliances to outlets and shall not lie under floor covering or extend through doorways, transoms or other openings through structural elements. When the capacity of circuits within a building is insufficient to carry the load imposed by normal use of appliances and fixtures, as indicated by the nameplate rating of such appliances, additional circuits shall be provided or the use of excessive appliances discontinued. Necessary repairs, alterations and installations shall be made in accordance with the electrical regulations of the city.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-137 establishes that all electrical wiring and devices in residential structures must be designed, installed, and maintained so they do not pose a fire or shock hazard. Overcurrent protection devices must not exceed the capacity of the circuit they protect, and any defective wiring or equipment must be repaired or replaced rather than patched with temporary solutions. Extension cords may only run directly between appliances and outlets — they cannot be routed under flooring, through doorways, or through other structural openings — and when a building's circuits cannot handle normal appliance loads, additional circuits must be added or appliance use reduced.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Poughkeepsie are generally expected to keep all electrical systems in compliance with § 12-137 of ch. 12 of the Code of Ordinances, which means routinely inspecting wiring and devices for defects and arranging prompt repair or replacement when problems are found. Compliant operators ensure that overcurrent devices are properly rated for their circuits and that no temporary wiring is used as a permanent solution. All electrical work — including new circuits added to address capacity shortfalls — is typically completed in accordance with the city's electrical regulations, and property managers commonly document inspections and repairs to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-137, tenants in residential units have an interest in electrical systems that are safe, properly maintained, and free from fire or shock hazards. If a tenant observes defective wiring, overloaded circuits, improperly routed extension cords, or other conditions that appear to violate this provision, they may consider reporting the concern to the appropriate Poughkeepsie code enforcement or housing inspection authority. Tenants can also consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand how a landlord's failure to maintain electrical systems in accordance with § 12-137 might be raised as part of a broader housing code 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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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