Watervliet, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 175 § 175-22
Occupancy classifications
Operative Text
Buildings for the purpose of this chapter shall be classified in respect to their occupancies as follows: A. One- and two-family dwellings: buildings containing one and two dwelling units with four or fewer lodgers residing with a family in either one of the dwelling units. B. Multiple dwellings: (1) Buildings containing one or two dwelling units with more than four lodgers with a family in either one of the dwelling units. (2) Buildings containing three or more dwelling units. (3) Apartment houses, apartment hotels and lodging houses. (4) Buildings with sleeping accommodations for more than five persons used or occupied as a club, dormitory, fraternity or sorority house or for similar uses. (5) Garden apartments. C. Accessory structures: garages, carports and similar type structures on residential premises.
Watervliet, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 175 § 175-22 establishes how residential buildings are sorted into occupancy categories for purposes of the chapter. Single- and two-family homes with four or fewer lodgers living with a family fall into one category, while buildings with more lodgers, three or more units, apartment houses, dormitories, and similar multi-occupant structures fall into the 'multiple dwellings' category. Detached garages, carports, and similar structures on residential property form a third category called accessory structures. The classification a building receives determines which rules elsewhere in the chapter apply to it.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Watervliet should be aware that § 175-22 determines which regulatory requirements apply to their buildings based on how those buildings are classified. A one- or two-family dwelling that takes in more than four lodgers alongside a resident family shifts into the 'multiple dwellings' classification, which typically carries a different and often more demanding set of obligations under the chapter. Operators who are uncertain about their building's classification—particularly those with lodgers, mixed-use sleeping arrangements, or accessory structures—generally review the full chapter to understand which standards correspond to each category.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 175-22, the occupancy classification of the building where a tenant lives affects which protections and standards apply to that building under Watervliet's housing code. Tenants in structures that qualify as 'multiple dwellings'—such as apartment houses, buildings with three or more units, or lodging houses—may have access to a different set of code-based rights than those in a single-family home. Tenants who believe their building may be misclassified or who have concerns about applicable housing standards can contact the City of Watervliet's code enforcement office or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information.
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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