Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-65.1
Duty to disconnect the water supply and water reading devices; duty to paint boards on vacant buildings
Operative Text
(a) It shall be the duty of any owner, agent or operator of a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house, rooming unit or any other building to disconnect or shut off the connection to the city water supply and remove the water meter and reading device and return said meter and device to the city within 10 days after such building has been vacated. It shall further be the duty of such owner, agent or operator to secure a certificate from a duly licensed exterminator certifying that the premises has been fumigated and/or baited for the purpose of exterminating rats, mice, roaches and other vermin within 10 days after such building has been vacated. Where an order to vacate has been served on the owner, agent, operator and occupant of such building, as provided in Section 12-34 , notice shall state that the owner, agent or operator shall make such disconnection and furnish such certificate within 10 days after vacation of the premises. (b) Any dwelling, rooming house or any other residential building which has been vacant for over 60 days shall be required to paint any wooden boards used to secure or barricade all windows, doors and other openings in the building in a color that is consistent with the exterior color of the building or structure. If the provisions of this section are not complied with, after written notice is served upon the owner, agent or operator of such building, by certified mail, the Building Inspector may arrange to have said boards painted by the city and the actual cost to the city, plus a sum equal to 5% of such actual cost for inspection and other additional costs in connection therewith, shall be certified by the Building Inspector to the Commissioner of Finance. The amount thereof shall become a lien upon the property, and the total amount thereof shall be added to and become a part of the next annual assessment roll at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Charter Laws and/or Code of Ordinances of the city and subject to all the provisions thereof.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-65.1 establishes two sets of obligations that apply when a residential building becomes vacant. First, within 10 days of vacancy, the water supply must be disconnected, the meter and reading device returned to the city, and a licensed exterminator's certificate obtained confirming the premises has been treated for vermin. Second, if a residential building remains vacant for more than 60 days, any wooden boards used to secure windows, doors, or other openings must be painted to match the building's exterior color; if the owner does not comply after written notice, the city may perform the painting itself and recover the cost—plus a 5% administrative surcharge—as a lien on the property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and owners subject to ch. 12 § 12-65.1 generally track the date a building is vacated and act promptly on two fronts: arranging disconnection of the city water supply and return of the meter within the 10-day window, and retaining a licensed exterminator to inspect and treat the premises for rodents and vermin within that same period. For buildings that remain vacant beyond 60 days, compliant operators ensure that any boarding materials on windows, doors, or other openings are painted to match the building's exterior before the city issues a written notice of violation. Failing to respond to such a notice can result in the city performing the work and placing a lien on the property for the actual cost plus a 5% surcharge, which is then added to the annual assessment roll.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-65.1 of the Poughkeepsie Code of Ordinances is primarily directed at building owners and operators rather than tenants, but tenants may find it relevant when a building they occupy is subject to a vacate order under Section 12-34, since that order must notify the owner of the disconnection and extermination requirements. If a tenant believes a landlord has failed to properly secure or maintain a vacated adjacent unit or building in a way that affects their living conditions, they may consider contacting the city's Building Inspector, who has authority to enforce this provision. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Poughkeepsie housing law can help residents understand how these obligations intersect with habitability standards and what complaint avenues may be available.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.