Watervliet, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-16
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
A. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any owner, landlord, managing agent or person in possession or charge of a rented dwelling unit(s) in a one-family dwelling, two-family dwelling or multiple dwelling to let or allow the occupancy of said unit without having obtained, prior to said rental, occupancy or reoccupancy, a rental unit compliance certificate as set forth in § 176-5 and § 176-6 of this chapter. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for the failure of any owner, landlord, managing agent or person in possession or charge of a rented single-family dwelling or two-family dwelling to obtain a residential occupancy permit as set forth in § 176-8 of this chapter. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for the failure of any owner, landlord, managing agent or person in possession or charge of a rented multiple dwelling to obtain a multiple dwelling occupancy permit as set forth in § 176-9 of this chapter. It shall be unlawful to fail to comply with a violation order issued by the Building Department pursuant to this chapter. Furthermore, it shall be unlawful for any occupant of a rented dwelling unit(s) to violate any of the provisions of this chapter relating to said occupancy. B. Upon conviction, every owner, landlord, managing agent or person in possession or charge of a rented dwelling unit(s) in a one-family dwelling, two-family dwelling or multiple dwelling, who shall fail to comply with the provisions of this chapter, shall be subject to a fine of $250 or up to five days in jail or up to 50 hours of community service, or any combination thereof, for the first offense; a fine of $500 or up to 10 days in jail or up to 100 hours of community service, or any combination thereof, for a second offense; and a fine of $1,000 or up to 15 days in jail or up to 150 hours of community service, or any combination thereof, for a third or subsequent offense. Each day a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. C. Failure to comply with a violation order to remedy or abate shall subject the person served with the order to the penalties contained in § 127-11D of this Code for failure to comply with a lawful order of the Building Department. D. Upon conviction, any occupant found to be in violation of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of up to $250 or up to five days in jail or up to 50 hours of community service, or any combination thereof. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
Watervliet, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-16 establishes that renting or allowing occupancy of a dwelling unit without first obtaining the required compliance certificate or occupancy permit is unlawful, as is failing to comply with a Building Department violation order. Penalties escalate with each offense: a first conviction can result in a $250 fine, up to five days in jail, or up to 50 hours of community service; a second offense raises those thresholds to $500 and 10 days; and a third or subsequent offense can bring a $1,000 fine and up to 15 days in jail. Tenants who personally violate the chapter's occupancy provisions may also face fines of up to $250 per offense, and every day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 176-16, compliant operators in Watervliet secure a rental unit compliance certificate (per §§ 176-5 and 176-6) and the appropriate occupancy permit—residential for single- and two-family dwellings (§ 176-8) or a multiple dwelling permit (§ 176-9)—before any rental, occupancy, or reoccupancy begins. Operators also respond promptly to any Building Department violation orders, since failure to abate is treated as a continuing violation with each day counted separately, compounding potential fines and other penalties. Maintaining organized records of certificates and permits helps demonstrate compliance if questions arise.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 176-16 of the Watervliet Code means that tenants have an interest in knowing whether their unit was lawfully certified before they moved in, because the absence of a required compliance certificate or occupancy permit is itself a code violation by the landlord. Tenants who believe their landlord has not obtained the required permits may contact the Watervliet Building Department, which has authority to issue violation orders under this chapter. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what documentation landlords are required to have and what options exist when those requirements have not been met.
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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