Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-90
Stairs, porches and railings
Operative Text
(a) The stairs, porches and railings affixed to the exterior of every structure used for human habitation shall be kept in good repair and structurally sound. Railings shall be provided for balconies and, where necessary, for porches and accessible roofs. Stairways shall have handrails on at least one side. (b) Stairs and porches shall be considered to be in good repair and structurally sound when found to be free of holes, cracks and capable of supporting imposed loads. Properly balustraded railings shall be provided when there is clear danger of accident or personal injury, and such railings must be capable of bearing normally imposed loads.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-90 establishes structural and safety standards for exterior stairs, porches, and railings on all residential buildings. Stairs and porches must be free of holes and cracks and capable of bearing normal loads, while railings and handrails are required wherever there is a clear danger of accident or injury. Balconies must always have railings, stairways must have at least one handrail, and any required railing must itself be sturdy enough to handle normally imposed loads.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 12 § 12-90, operators of residential properties in Poughkeepsie generally maintain exterior stairs and porches in a hole-free, crack-free condition and verify that these structures can support expected loads. Compliant operators install and maintain handrails on at least one side of every stairway and ensure balconies are always equipped with properly balustraded railings. Where conditions present a clear danger of accident or injury on porches or accessible roofs, responsible operators add appropriate railings before an inspection or complaint arises.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-90 gives tenants a basis to expect that exterior stairs, porches, and railings in their building are structurally sound and properly equipped with handrails and guardrails. If these features are missing, damaged, or unsafe, tenants may report the condition to the City of Poughkeepsie's code enforcement office, which has authority to inspect and require corrections. Tenants may also wish to document deficiencies in writing and consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options 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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