Utica, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 2-12 § 2-12-536
Fee; exemptions
Operative Text
(a) To offset the administrative costs of preparing and maintaining the registry and conducting the inspections required under Division 4, the following schedule of fees for the initial and subsequent registration of rental units in a single rental dwelling is hereby imposed: (1) Dwelling units: Number of Units Fee 1 to 5 $55 per unit 6 to 10 $65 flat fee, plus $30 per unit 11 to 20 $130 flat fee, plus $30 per unit 20 and up $200 flat fee, plus $30 per unit (2) Rooming units: Number of Units Fee 1 to 5 $55 per unit 6 to 10 $65 flat fee, plus $30 per unit 11 to 20 $130 flat fee, plus $30 per unit 20 and up $200 flat fee, plus $30 per unit (3) Dwelling units combined with rooming units: Number of Units Fee 1 to 5 $55 per unit 6 to 10 $65 flat fee, plus $30 per unit 11 to 20 $130 flat fee, plus $30 per unit 20 and up $200 flat fee, plus $30 per unit (b) Owner-occupied two-family dwellings. Owner-occupied rental dwellings containing not more than one rental unit owned by one or more natural persons are exempt from the filing fees set forth herein. (c) A change in ownership only shall be exempt from the filing fees herein; however, such change must be registered with the Department. (d) Payment of the applicable fee under this section shall be due at the time the application is submitted to the Department requesting an inspection of the rental dwelling unit. Written notice will be delivered to the dwelling owner that the Department is prepared to inspect the dwelling and thereafter issue a residential occupancy permit as required under Division 4 of this chapter for such premises.
Utica, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 2-12 § 2-12-536 establishes a tiered fee schedule that landlords must pay when registering rental units with the city to cover the costs of maintaining the rental registry and conducting required inspections. Fees range from $55 per unit for smaller properties up to a flat base rate plus $30 per unit for larger ones, depending on whether the units are dwelling units, rooming units, or a combination. Two specific exemptions exist: owner-occupied two-family homes with no more than one rental unit are fully exempt from fees, and ownership changes do not trigger a new fee—though the change must still be reported to the Department. Fees are due when the inspection application is submitted, after which the Department notifies the owner that it is ready to inspect and issue a residential occupancy permit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 2-12 § 2-12-536, compliant rental property operators in Utica submit their registration application along with the applicable tiered fee at the time they request an inspection from the Department. Operators of larger properties calculate their fee using the flat-base-plus-per-unit formula that corresponds to their total unit count, while those who own and occupy a two-family home with only one rental unit confirm their exemption status before filing. When ownership of a property transfers, compliant operators register that change with the Department even though no new filing fee is owed in that circumstance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ch. 2-12 § 2-12-536 is part of Utica's rental registration framework, which requires landlords to pay fees and obtain residential occupancy permits—a process designed to ensure rental units are inspected before occupancy. Tenants can check whether their landlord has properly registered the property and paid the required fee by inquiring with the Utica Department responsible for administering Division 4 of ch. 2-12. If a landlord has not complied with the registration and fee requirements, tenants may wish to contact the Department directly or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand what options 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.
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