Wappingers Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 120 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 120-11
Inspection and certification of premises
Operative Text
A. General. (1) All residential rental dwelling units which are not subject to Section 1203 of the New York State Building Code and which are located in a structure which is non-owner-occupied shall be inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector, who shall determine compliance with, administer and enforce all applicable provisions of the Building and Fire Codes of the State of New York and the Code of the Village of Wappingers Falls. Said inspections and certifications shall commence as soon as practicable upon the passage of this chapter and will be conducted no less than every 36 months. (2) Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter to rent, lease or otherwise allow the occupancy of any residential rental unit without the inspection and certification as required herein. (3) If, upon inspection, said premises do not comply with all applicable provisions of this code or the New York State Building and Fire Codes or the Code of the Village of Wappingers Falls, the specific reasons for noncompliance shall be specified in writing and delivered to the property's owner or legal agent. B. On or after the passage of this chapter, the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector shall have the right to inspect all or any part of the rental dwelling, including any unit or apartment as required herein, and/or upon complaint, except that the owner, agent or person in charge thereof shall have the right to insist upon the procurement of a search warrant from a court of competent jurisdiction by the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector, or his or her designee, in order to enable such inspection. The officials charged with conducting the inspection pursuant to this section shall be required to obtain a search warrant whenever an owner, agent or person in charge refuses to permit a warrantless inspection of the premises after having been advised that he or she has a constitutional right to refuse entry of the officials without a search warrant. C. The officials charged with conducting the inspection shall make such inspection, access and circumstances permitting, within three business days of receipt of a request from the owner, agent or occupant. D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the right of the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector to inspect any property at any time. If, after issuing a residential occupancy permit, the Department receives a complaint alleging a violation of this section, other than a violation which creates an imminent hazard to the public health or to the physical or mental health of the occupants of the rental property, the Zoning Administrator and/or Building Inspector shall make a good faith effort to notify the owner or agent of the complaint by either telephone or regular mail, before conducting an inspection under this section, and shall provide to the owner or agent one working day to explain what steps the owner or agent is taking to correct the violation. The Zoning Administrator and/or Building Inspector may take steps necessary, by inspection or other means, to assure that the violation is corrected.
Section 120-11 of the Wappingers Falls Code of Ordinances requires that non-owner-occupied residential rental units not covered by New York State Building Code Section 1203 be inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector at least once every 36 months. Renting or allowing occupancy of a unit without this inspection and certification is unlawful under the chapter. When a unit fails inspection, the owner or legal agent must receive a written explanation of each specific deficiency, and officials generally must obtain a search warrant if entry is refused.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 120-11, operators of non-owner-occupied residential rental properties in Wappingers Falls are generally expected to ensure their units are inspected and certified by the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector on a cycle of no less than every 36 months before allowing occupancy. When a complaint is received after a residential occupancy permit has been issued, the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector will typically attempt to notify the owner or agent by phone or mail and allow one working day to describe corrective steps before conducting a follow-up inspection, except in cases of imminent hazard. Compliant operators typically maintain records of certifications, respond promptly to written noncompliance notices, and coordinate access for inspections within the three-business-day window contemplated by the section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 120-11 establishes that tenants in non-owner-occupied rental units in Wappingers Falls have the benefit of a mandatory inspection and certification regime, meaning a unit generally must be inspected and certified before it can lawfully be rented or occupied. Tenants may file a complaint with the Zoning Administrator or Building Inspector if they believe a violation exists, and the section provides that officials will make a good-faith effort to address complaints, with an exception for imminent hazards that may prompt more immediate action. Tenants who believe their unit has not been properly inspected or certified under § 120-11 may wish to contact the Village's building department or consult a tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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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