Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-65
Protection of, securing vacated dwelling
Operative Text
(a) The owner, agent or operator of any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit which has been designated as unfit for human habitation and vacated shall make such dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit safe and secure in whatever manner the head of the Code Enforcement Agency shall deem necessary. (b) A vacant building, open at the doors and windows, if unguarded, shall be deemed dangerous to human life and a nuisance within the meaning of this provision.
Under Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-65, when a dwelling or rooming unit has been officially designated unfit for human habitation and vacated, the responsible party must secure it in whatever way the head of the Code Enforcement Agency determines is necessary. Separately, the provision establishes that a vacant building left open at doors and windows without a guard is legally considered both dangerous to human life and a public nuisance. These two rules work together to ensure that vacated properties do not pose ongoing hazards to the surrounding community.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners, agents, and operators of properties in Poughkeepsie should be aware that under ch. 12 § 12-65, once a dwelling or rooming unit is officially vacated as unfit for human habitation, the Code Enforcement Agency head has authority to define what 'safe and secure' means for that specific property. Compliant operators typically board or lock all accessible entry points, maintain those barriers, and stay in communication with the Code Enforcement Agency to confirm that the measures taken satisfy the agency's requirements. Leaving a vacant building open at doors or windows without any guarding arrangement exposes the property to a formal nuisance designation under this same provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants and neighbors, ch. 12 § 12-65 establishes that a vacated, unsecured building is not merely a private concern — it is legally defined as a nuisance and a danger to human life under Poughkeepsie's code. If a nearby or formerly occupied property appears to have been vacated but left open and unguarded, that condition may be reportable to Poughkeepsie's Code Enforcement Agency as a potential violation of this provision. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing advocacy groups can help individuals understand how to document conditions and navigate the complaint process.
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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