Watervliet, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 175 § 175-31
General requirements
Operative Text
A. Buildings and parts thereof shall be maintained so as to be capable of sustaining safely their own weight and the loads to which they may be subject. B. Buildings shall be maintained so that loads are transmitted to the soil without undue differential settlement, unsafe deformation or movement of the building or of any structural part. C. Buildings shall be maintained so that protection is provided for all structural members which may become structurally unsound if left unprotected. Causes of such deterioration include, among others, the action of freezing and thawing, dampness, corrosion, wetting and drying and termites and other destructive insects. D. Buildings built in soil which is water-bearing at any season of the year shall be maintained so that ground- and surface water will not penetrate into habitable spaces, basements and cellars.
Watervliet, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 175 § 175-31 establishes baseline structural maintenance standards for all buildings. Under this provision, buildings must be kept structurally sound enough to bear their own weight and any imposed loads, must transfer those loads to the ground without unsafe settling or movement, and must protect structural members from deterioration caused by factors such as moisture, freezing, corrosion, and insects. Buildings situated in areas with seasonal groundwater must also be maintained to prevent water from entering habitable spaces, basements, and cellars.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Watervliet, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 175 § 175-31 generally conduct routine inspections to confirm that structural components remain capable of safely bearing design loads and that load paths to the soil remain stable. Compliant operators typically implement protective measures against known deterioration agents—including moisture barriers, corrosion-resistant treatments, and pest-control programs—to keep structural members sound. For buildings on water-bearing soil, operators commonly maintain waterproofing systems and drainage controls to prevent groundwater or surface water from penetrating habitable areas, basements, and cellars.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Watervliet, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 175 § 175-31 gives tenants a basis to raise concerns when a building shows signs of structural compromise, such as visible settling, deteriorating structural members, or water intrusion into living spaces, basements, or cellars. Tenants who observe such conditions may document them and report them to the appropriate Watervliet code enforcement authority, which has the power to inspect and require corrective action. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how this provision may apply to their situation and what local complaint or enforcement processes are 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation