How White Plains Handles Rental Property Rules: A Practical Guide

White Plains maintains 104 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with rental property rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where White Plains falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Rental Registration

White Plains requires rental dwelling registration and a Certificate of Occupancy inspection for most residential rentals under Building Department rules. Two-family and multi-family rentals are the primary focus.

Key details: Registration: Required 1–4 fam. Rental CO: Required. Multi-Fam: County inspection. Fines: $250–$1,000.

Operating without rental CO: fines $250–$1,000 and orders to vacate. CO can be denied until violations cured.

Rent Control

White Plains did NOT opt into Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA). Rent stabilization/control does not generally apply in White Plains, unlike Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Mount Vernon.

Key details: ETPA Opt-In: No. Rent Board: None. Market Rent: Yes. vs Yonkers: Yonkers opted in.

White Plains is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rent control. That said, there are still limits.

Just Cause Eviction

NY's 2019 HSTPA and 2024 Good Cause Eviction Law apply. White Plains has NOT opted into local Good Cause coverage; statewide Good Cause applies only to NYC unless a locality opts in.

Key details: Good Cause Local: Not opted in. Statewide Law: NYC only auto. HSTPA: Still applies. Court: Westchester Housing.

Improper evictions void in housing court; tenants may recover damages and attorney fees.

The Bottom Line

White Plains's rental property rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming White Plains is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects White Plains's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.