A. 
If a provision of this chapter is found to be inconsistent with any provision of other chapters of the City Code or Charter, the provision or requirement which is the more restrictive or which establishes the higher standard shall prevail. A greater penalty shall not be considered as more restrictive or a higher standard.
B. 
The Inspector of Buildings or his or her designee shall have the authority to issue such regulations as may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Code.
C. 
If any part, provision, section, subdivision, paragraph, or term of this chapter shall be held unconstitutional, invalid, or ineffective, in whole or in part, such determination shall not be deemed to invalidate the remaining chapter, parts, provisions, sections, subdivisions, paragraphs, or terms.
Whenever used in the chapter, unless otherwise expressly stated or unless the context or subject material requires a different meaning, the definitions as contained in the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code shall apply to the terms and previsions herein.
DWELLING UNIT
Any single unit providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. Dwelling units include, but are not limited to, one-family dwellings, each unit in a two-family dwelling, and each unit in a multiple dwelling.
OWNER
A person, agent, operator, firm, association, organization, partnership, company, corporation, beneficiary, trust, trustee, and all other persons having a legal or equitable interest in the property; recorded in the official records of the state, county or municipality as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.
A. 
All residential rental dwelling units shall be inspected and certified by the Building Department, which shall determine compliance with, administer and enforce all applicable provisions of this chapter, the City Code, and the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (hereinafter "Uniform Code"). The owner, landlord, managing agent or person in possession of a rented dwelling unit(s) in a one-family dwelling, two-family dwelling or multiple dwelling shall secure from the Building Department a rental unit compliance certificate whenever the same becomes vacant or whenever there is a change in occupancy and prior to its being reoccupied, indicating that said dwelling unit complies with the requirements of this chapter.
B. 
Nothing contained herein shall be construed or operate to invalidate an otherwise legally effective certificate issued prior to May 1, 2017, except:
(1) 
When there is a change in the tenancy of the residential rental dwelling unit to which the certificate relates for dwelling units covered by the New York State Multiple Residence Law.
(2) 
When there is a change in the tenancy of the residential rental dwelling unit to which the certificate relates for all residential rental dwelling units not covered in § 176-5B(1).
C. 
Prior to the issuance of a rental unit compliance certificate from the Building Department, the owner, landlord, managing agent or person in possession of a rented dwelling unit(s) in a one-family dwelling, two-family dwelling or multiple dwelling, shall provide to the Building Department for inspection and copying a New York State driver's license or, in the alternative, any other valid form of identification that contains a photograph of the individual, current address, and date of birth. If the owner, landlord, managing agent or person in possession of a rented dwelling unit(s) is unable or unwilling to provide such identification, the Building Department shall withhold the issuance of a rental unit compliance certificate until valid identification is displayed to the Building Department.
A. 
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 dwelling unit without the inspection and certification required herein. It shall be the duty of the Building Department or its duly appointed agents to inspect a rented dwelling unit(s) whenever the same becomes vacant or whenever there is a change in occupancy and prior to its being reoccupied, for the purposes of determining whether or not the dwelling unit complies with the provisions of this chapter. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of the rental property to schedule an inspection with the Building Department in order to obtain a rental unit compliance certificate.
B. 
If, upon inspection, said premises do not comply with all applicable provisions of this Code or the Uniform Code, the specific reasons for noncompliance shall be specified in writing and a time limit, not to exceed 30 days, shall be directed for the correction of, or the substantial effort to correct, the deficiencies noted. The notice of noncompliance shall be delivered personally or by mail within seven business days to the owner, agent or person in charge at the address set forth in the Rental Dwelling Unit Registry and to any occupant who so requests. Occupants or proposed occupants of dwellings shall have the right to inspect the rental unit compliance certificate of the residential rental dwelling unit, apartment or multiple residence in which they have an interest at no cost.
C. 
On or after May 1, 2017, the Building Department shall have the right to inspect all or any part of the rented dwelling, including any unit or apartment, or entire multiple residence as required herein 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 Inspector of Buildings or his or her designee or Code Enforcement Officer, in order to enable such inspection. The officials charged with conducting the inspection pursuant to this article 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.
D. 
An owner or agent may file with the Building Department a request for such inspection and the issuance of a rental unit compliance certificate by regular mail or in person at the Building Department.
E. 
Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the right of the Building Department to inspect any property at any time. If, after issuing a rental unit compliance certificate, the Building Department receives a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter or other chapter of the City Code, other than a violation that creates an imminent hazard to the public health or to the physical or mental health of the occupants of the rental property, the Building Department 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 chapter, and shall provide to the owner or agent one working day from the date the owner or agent receives the notice to explain what steps the owner or agent is taking to correct the violation. The Building Department may take steps necessary, by inspection or other means, to assure that the violation is corrected.
F. 
No rental unit compliance certificate shall be issued and no inspecting under this article shall be conducted, unless and until the applicable fee(s) required under this chapter is paid in full to the Building Department and the property owner or agent submits the names and birth dates of all tenants, not to exceed the maximum occupancy as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended L.L. No. 1-2018]
G. 
No rental unit compliance certificate shall be issued under this article unless the rental dwelling unit is an authorized use pursuant to Chapter 272, Zoning, and until all other applicable provisions and requirements of the Code of the City of Watervliet are complied with and met.
H. 
No rental unit compliance certificate shall be issued and no inspection shall be conducted under this article unless the property is current and paid to date on its Watervliet City property taxes, including water and sewer.
A. 
The fee for a rental unit compliance certificate as set forth in §§ 176-5 and 176-6 shall be $40 for each inspected unit. This fee shall be paid in full prior to the inspection.
B. 
Failure of an owner or agent to appear within 15 minutes of a scheduled inspection ("no show") shall result in a fee of $25 per unit scheduled for inspection.
C. 
Cancellation of a scheduled inspection less than 24 hours before that scheduled inspection ("late cancellation") shall result in a fee of $25 per unit scheduled for inspection.
D. 
Should a unit fail inspection, the initial reinspection shall be free of charge; however, each subsequent reinspection thereafter until that unit passes shall result in a reinspection fee of $25 per unit being reinspected.
A. 
Once every three years, a firesafety and property maintenance inspection is required for all buildings containing rental dwelling units that are either single-family units or are two-family units and shall be inspected by the Building Department for compliance with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, Chapter 175, Housing Standards, of the Code of the City of Watervliet, and all applicable housing standards.
B. 
There shall be no fee for the inspection being performed by the Building Department.
C. 
All single-family units and two-family units must meet the minimum standards for occupancy as set forth in Chapter 175, Housing Standards, of the Code of the City of Watervliet and must comply with the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code and all applicable housing standards.
D. 
If, upon inspection, said premises do not comply with all applicable provisions of this Code or the Uniform Code, the specific reasons for noncompliance shall be specified in writing and a time limit, not to exceed 30 days, shall be directed for the correction of, or the substantial effort to correct, the deficiencies noted. The notice of noncompliance shall be delivered personally or by mail within seven business days to the owner, agent or person in charge at the address set forth in the Rental Dwelling Unit Registry and to any occupant who so requests. Occupants or proposed occupants of dwellings shall have the right to inspect the residential occupancy permit of the residential rental dwelling unit, apartment or multiple residence in which they have an interest at no cost.
E. 
On or after May 1, 2017, the Building Department shall have the right to inspect all or any part of the rented dwelling, including any unit or apartment, or entire multiple residence as required herein 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 Inspector of Buildings or his or her designee or Code Enforcement Officer, in order to enable such inspection. The officials charged with conducting the inspection pursuant to this article 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.
F. 
Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the right of the Building Department to inspect any property at any time. If, after issuing a residential occupancy permit, the Building Department receives a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter or other chapter of the City Code, other than a violation that creates an imminent hazard to the public health or to the physical or mental health of the occupants of the rental property, the Building Department 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 chapter, and shall provide to the owner or agent one working day from the date the owner or agent receives the notice to explain what steps the owner or agent is taking to correct the violation. The Building Department may take steps necessary, by inspection or other means, to assure that the violation is corrected.
G. 
No residential occupancy permit shall be issued under this article unless the rental dwelling unit is an authorized use pursuant to Chapter 272, Zoning, and until all other applicable provisions and requirements of the Code of the City of Watervliet are complied with and met.
H. 
Upon passing inspection, a residential occupancy permit shall be granted. All single-family and two-family dwellings shall be required to hold a valid residential occupancy permit. Such residential occupancy permit shall be valid for a period of not more than three years. Before the expiration of the residential occupancy permit, it shall be the responsibility of the owner of the rental property to schedule an inspection with the Building Department in order to obtain a new residential occupancy permit.
I. 
Failure of an owner or agent to appear within 15 minutes of a scheduled inspection ("no show") shall result in a fee of $25 per unit scheduled for inspection.
J. 
Cancellation of a scheduled inspection less than 24 hours before that scheduled inspection ("late cancellation") shall result in a fee of $25 per unit scheduled for inspection.
A. 
Once every three years, a firesafety and property inspection is required for all multiple dwellings, as defined in the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law, including but not limited to all buildings containing three or more rental dwelling units, Class A multiple dwellings, and Class B multiple dwellings and shall be inspected by the Building Department for compliance with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, New York State Multiple Residence Law, Chapter 175, Housing Standards, of the Code of the City of Watervliet, and all applicable housing standards.
B. 
There shall be no fee for the inspection being performed by the Building Department.
C. 
All multiple dwellings must meet the minimum standards for occupancy as set forth in Chapter 175, Housing Standards, of the Code of the City of Watervliet and must comply with the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code, New York State Multiple Residence Law, and all applicable housing standards.
D. 
If, upon inspection, said premises do not comply with all applicable provisions of this Code or the Uniform Code, the specific reasons for noncompliance shall be specified in writing and a time limit, not to exceed 30 days, shall be directed for the correction of, or the substantial effort to correct, the deficiencies noted. The notice of noncompliance shall be delivered personally or by mail within seven business days to the owner, agent or person in charge at the address set forth in the Rental Dwelling Unit Registry and to any occupant who so requests. Occupants or proposed occupants of dwellings shall have the right to inspect the multiple dwelling occupancy permit of the residential rental dwelling unit, apartment or multiple residence in which they have an interest at no cost.
E. 
On or after May 1, 2017, the Building Department shall have the right to inspect all or any part of the rented dwelling, including any unit or apartment, or entire multiple residence as required herein 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 Inspector of Buildings or his or her designee or Code Enforcement Officer, in order to enable such inspection. The officials charged with conducting the inspection pursuant to this article 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.
F. 
Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the right of the Building Department to inspect any property at any time. If, after issuing a multiple dwelling occupancy permit, the Building Department receives a complaint alleging a violation of this chapter or other chapter of the City Code, other than a violation that creates an imminent hazard to the public health or to the physical or mental health of the occupants of the rental property, the Building Department 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 chapter, and shall provide to the owner or agent one working day from the date the owner or agent receives the notice to explain what steps the owner or agent is taking to correct the violation. The Building Department may take steps necessary, by inspection or other means, to assure that the violation is corrected.
G. 
No multiple dwelling occupancy permit shall be issued under this article unless the rental dwelling unit is an authorized use pursuant to Chapter 272, Zoning, and until all other applicable provisions and requirements of the Code of the City of Watervliet are complied with and met.
H. 
Upon passing inspection, a multiple dwelling occupancy permit shall be granted. All multiple dwellings shall be required to hold a valid multiple dwelling occupancy permit. Such multiple dwelling occupancy permit shall be valid for a period of not more than three years. Before the expiration of the multiple dwelling occupancy permit, it shall be the responsibility of the owner of the rental property to schedule an inspection with the Building Department in order to obtain a new multiple dwelling occupancy permit.
I. 
Failure of an owner or agent to appear within 15 minutes of a scheduled inspection ("no show") shall result in a fee of $25 per unit scheduled for inspection.
J. 
Cancellation of a scheduled inspection less than 24 hours before that scheduled inspection ("late cancellation") shall result in a fee of $25 per unit scheduled for inspection.
Each unit shall prominently display in the public area of said structure the rental unit compliance certificate, residential occupancy permit, and multiple dwelling occupancy permit as required by this article.
A. 
There shall be a Rental Dwelling Unit Registry. It shall be the responsibility of all landlords within the City to register as such with the Building Department. The Inspector of Buildings or his or her designee shall promulgate regulations and procedures to effectuate said registry and make same available to the public.
B. 
Within the Rental Dwelling Unit Registry shall be a provision for registration of agents. All landlords who own rental dwelling units within the City of Watervliet, but live outside of Albany County or an adjoining county, shall appoint an agent for service and register said agent with the Building Department. The agent must live or have a place of business within Albany County or an adjoining county. Service of an appearance ticket as defined in the New York State Criminal Procedure Law upon said agent for service shall constitute good and sufficient service as if the landlord had been served himself within Albany County or an adjoining county.