Watertown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 177 § 177-7
Responsibilities and protection of tenants
Operative Text
In addition to any other responsibilities of occupants referred to in this article, the occupants shall be required to comply with these provisions: A. Maintenance of property in sanitary condition. (1) Every occupant of a dwelling or a dwelling unit shall keep in a clean and sanitary condition that part of the dwelling, dwelling unit or premises which he or she occupies and controls. (2) None of the responsibilities of occupants specified in this section shall relieve the owner of his or her responsibility to maintain those parts of a rental unit which are part of the permanent or semipermanent construction of the unit or dwelling, in whole or in part, in a clean, orderly and sanitary condition. B. Liability for violations. (1) Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall be liable for a code violation as well as for any damage caused by his or her own willful act, omission, assistance, or negligence or that of any member of his or her family, or household guests if such damage results in, or contributes to, a violation of the regulations of the ICC or provisions of the Code of the City of Watertown. (2) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a judge may, at the time of sentencing, upon plea or conviction, order restitution pursuant to Subsection B(1) of this section as a condition of any sentence imposed. If such restitution is ordered, except for good cause shown, it shall be paid within 30 days of the date of the sentence. (3) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted so as to diminish any other lawful remedy to recover for damages. C. Every occupant of a dwelling unit shall keep all plumbing, cooking, electric, and all other fixtures and facilities required by this article in a clean and sanitary fashion and shall also be responsible for the exercise of reasonable care in the proper use and operation of such facilities. D. Every occupant shall keep exits from his or her dwelling unit clear and unencumbered. E. Retaliation against occupants. (1) No owner, occupant, contractee, mortgagee, designated manager, or any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly in control of a building governed by this article, shall threaten or otherwise retaliate against any occupant who has not committed a breach of the lease of contract of rental, for reporting in good faith of the existence of any violation of the provisions of this article or any other applicable laws, statutes, ordinances or regulations, or for, in good faith, availing himself or herself of any legal remedy to secure or enforce rights under his or her lease or agreement, or provided by law. (2) No owner, occupant, contractee, mortgagee, designated manager, or any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly in control of a building or a part thereof, shall threaten or otherwise retaliate against any occupant who lives in a dwelling or dwelling unit where the Department has initiated action by giving notice to the owner or persons responsible for the dwelling because the Department believes there has been a violation of any provision of this article. (3) No owner, occupant, mortgagee, designated manager, or any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly in control of a building or a part, shall threaten or otherwise retaliate against any occupant who has exercised any of his or her rights as described in this article. (4) The defense of retaliatory action may be raised by the occupant in an eviction action, summary proceeding or other action relating to the right of the occupant to remain in possession of premises.
Watertown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 177 § 177-7 establishes a dual framework of responsibilities and protections for dwelling occupants. Occupants are required to keep their units, fixtures, and exits clean, sanitary, and unobstructed, and can be held liable—including through court-ordered restitution—for code violations caused by their own willful acts, negligence, or those of household members or guests. At the same time, the provision prohibits any person or entity in control of a building from retaliating against an occupant who reports violations in good faith, pursues legal remedies, or lives in a unit where the Department has initiated enforcement action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 177-7, compliant property owners and managers refrain from any threatening or retaliatory conduct toward occupants who report code violations, seek legal remedies, or are the subject of Department-initiated enforcement notices. Importantly, the provision makes clear that an occupant's maintenance duties do not relieve the owner of responsibility for the permanent or semipermanent structural elements of the rental unit. Operators generally document the condition of units at move-in and move-out and maintain records that distinguish damage caused by occupant conduct from pre-existing or structural deficiencies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 177-7 of the Watertown Code gives occupants meaningful protection against retaliation: if a landlord or other controlling party threatens or takes adverse action because a tenant reported a violation in good faith or exercised a legal right, that retaliatory conduct is prohibited under this provision. Tenants may raise the defense of retaliatory action directly in an eviction proceeding, summary proceeding, or any other action concerning their right to remain in possession of the premises. Tenants who believe they are experiencing retaliation may consider contacting the Watertown Department responsible for housing code enforcement, a local tenant-rights organization, or legal aid for general information about available remedies.
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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