Wappingers Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 114 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 114-6
Exterior maintenance
Operative Text
A. Surface and subsurface water shall be drained to prevent damage to buildings and structures and to prevent development of stagnant ponds. Gutters, culverts, catch basins, drain inlets, stormwater sewers and sanitary sewers or other satisfactory drainage systems shall be provided and utilized. In no case shall the water from any rain leader be allowed to flow over the sidewalk of adjoining property. B. Premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition free of physical hazards, fire hazards, solid waste, infestation, rodents, roaches, fleas, ticks, junk vehicles, hazardous substances, construction and demolition material, noxious weeds or nuisances. C. All fences and retaining walls shall be maintained in a safe and substantial condition by the owner of the premises upon which it is located. Such maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, painting or staining as needed and the replacement of broken or missing sections of fence or retaining wall which may come into disrepair. D. All steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas shall be maintained so as to afford safe passage under normal use and weather conditions. The owner shall keep all and every part of the premises which they may own and the steps, walks, driveways and parking areas located in the front, rear or side of said premises, from the building line to the nearest public street line, in a clean, sanitary and safe condition and free from litter, debris, paper, dirt, garbage and junk and, except for public improvements, in good repair. E. Steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces, parking lots and similar paved areas shall be repaired, replaced and maintained so as to be free from holes, hazards and dirt so as to afford safe passage to the public under normal use and weather conditions. In the case of multifamily premises and commercial premises, all driveways and parking spaces provided shall be covered with broken stone, gravel, concrete or asphalt paving, which shall be kept in good repair, and such driveways and parking spaces shall be regularly cleaned to avoid accumulation of dirt, paper and other debris. On commercial premises, all parking areas shall be paved with concrete or asphalt, and all parking spaces shall be clearly marked with painted white or yellow lines. F. Heavy undergrowth and accumulation of plant growth which is unsightly, noxious or detrimental to health shall be eliminated or removed. Hedges and shrubs shall be kept pruned or trimmed and free from becoming overgrown and unsightly. Yards shall be maintained so that grasses, weeds and other vegetative ground cover shall not exceed six inches in height. Lawns or vegetative ground cover shall extend to the pavement of the adjoining street(s) and shall be maintained by the property owner, lessee or tenant to the aforementioned standards. G. Dead or incurably diseased trees shall be taken down and the diseased portion thereof removed and destroyed. Trees shall be kept pruned, and dead wood one inch in diameter shall be removed. Every owner, tenant, occupant and lessee shall keep all trees, shrubs and plants on its, his or her property, whether occupied or unoccupied, or on the area between the property line of an adjacent public highway or sidewalk and the pavement edge of the road, so trimmed and in such condition as not to interfere with or obstruct the vision (at an intersection or otherwise) or any way endanger the safety of persons using any public street, sidewalk or other public place. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any tree limb overhanging a public sidewalk shall be at least eight feet above any part thereof and any tree limb overhanging a public street shall be at least 13 feet above any part thereof. H. Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures, including fences, doors, window frames and porches that are not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be maintained in a good state of repair and periodically treated with protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative. Broken or missing clapboards, shingles and window and door glasses shall be replaced.
Wappingers Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 114 § 114-6 establishes a broad set of exterior maintenance standards for properties within the village. The rule covers drainage systems, cleanliness, fences, paved surfaces, vegetation, trees, and exterior building surfaces, requiring each to be kept in a safe, sanitary, and structurally sound condition. Specific thresholds are set — for example, grass and weeds may not exceed six inches in height, tree limbs over sidewalks must clear at least eight feet, and those over streets must clear at least thirteen feet. The provision applies to owners, tenants, lessees, and occupants depending on the specific obligation involved.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to ch. 114 § 114-6 generally maintain drainage infrastructure so that water does not pool or flow onto neighboring sidewalks, keep all paved areas free of holes and debris, and ensure fences and retaining walls are structurally sound and painted or stained as needed. On multifamily and commercial properties, driveways and parking areas must be surfaced with approved materials and kept clean, and commercial parking spaces must be clearly marked with painted lines. Compliant operators also routinely trim vegetation below the six-inch threshold, prune trees to meet the required clearance heights over sidewalks and streets, and apply protective coatings to exterior surfaces that are not inherently weather-resistant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under ch. 114 § 114-6, tenants share certain maintenance responsibilities alongside owners and lessees — for instance, the provision explicitly names tenants as responsible for keeping lawns and vegetative ground cover trimmed to the required standards and for maintaining trees and shrubs so they do not obstruct public ways. If exterior conditions on a property appear to violate these standards, tenants may document the conditions and report them to the Wappingers Falls Code Enforcement office, which administers the village's property maintenance code. Tenant-rights organizations or a local housing attorney can help clarify which obligations fall on the owner versus the occupant 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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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