Rochester, NY Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Section 59-50 of the Municipal Code makes it unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to cause or allow a nuisance or condition that gives rise to nuisances from rodents, insect pests or other vermin detrimental to health. The duty runs to every owner, lessee or occupant of the affected premises: each must comply with the orders of authorized inspectors from the Monroe County Health Director and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent the nuisance from arising or to remove one that already exists.

Enforcement sits with the Monroe County Health Director under Section 59-53, who can enter, examine and inspect any lot, dwelling, building, structure or excavation and enforce Chapter 59 or Chapter 90 wherever a violation is found dangerous to life or health. If the Director's order is not obeyed within 30 days of service, or a shorter period the Director sets for urgent cases, the Director can have the work done through City officers, agents or the Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development and assess the cost against the property under the City Charter, or order the premises vacated.

Before executing an order this way, the Director must post a notice on the building giving an additional five days' warning and mail a copy to the owner or agent if reasonably ascertainable, under Section 59-53(C). Related sanitation provisions in the same chapter address stagnant water left in a lot or excavation (Section 59-52) and burning offensive materials that create noxious odors (Section 59-47), both enforced through the same Chapter 59 mechanism.