Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-82
Accessory structures
Operative Text
(a) Accessory structures, located on exterior property areas, shall be kept in good repair, free from health, fire and accident hazards and vermin, insect and rodent harborage. (b) Accessory structures shall be kept structurally sound and in good repair or shall be removed from the premises. Effective rodentproofing or extermination must be done, where necessary, in these structures. The exterior of such structures shall be made weather-resistant through the use of decay-resistant materials or the application of paint or other preservatives. Privies, except as provided in Section 12-120 , shall be removed.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-82 establishes standards for accessory structures — such as sheds, garages, and outbuildings — located on a property's exterior. These structures must be kept structurally sound, free from health, fire, and accident hazards, and protected against vermin, insects, and rodents. Exterior surfaces must be made weather-resistant using decay-resistant materials, paint, or other preservatives, and any structure that cannot meet these standards must be removed from the premises.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 12 § 12-82, compliant property operators routinely inspect all accessory structures for structural integrity, pest activity, and weather damage. Operators generally apply paint, sealants, or decay-resistant materials to exterior surfaces on a regular maintenance schedule and arrange for professional extermination when evidence of rodents or insects is found. Structures that cannot be brought into compliance are typically removed rather than left in a deteriorated condition, and privies are removed unless they qualify under the exception in Section 12-120.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-82 of Poughkeepsie's Code of Ordinances gives tenants a basis to expect that any accessory structures on the rental property — such as garages or storage sheds — are maintained in a safe, structurally sound, and pest-free condition. If a tenant observes hazardous conditions, structural deterioration, or signs of rodent or insect infestation in such structures, they may consider documenting the conditions and reporting them to the appropriate local code enforcement or housing authority. Tenants may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand what remedies or defenses may be available under this provision.
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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