Clarkstown, NY Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Frequency
- Biennial: every two years for registered rentals
- Detectors checked
- Smoke and CO detectors, plus extinguishers
- Cure period
- 10 days to fix a cited violation
- Refusal to allow entry
- Town Attorney may seek a search warrant
- Penalty
- $4,500-$6,000 fine for a first violation
Summary
Clarkstown inspects every registered rental unit at least once every two years under Town Code § 157-65, checking compliance with Chapter 157 and confirming working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. An owner cited for a violation has only 10 days to fix it before a new, separate violation is charged.
The Building Inspector or his/her authorized agent shall make provisions for the biennial inspection of each residential rental premises which is subject to the provisions of this chapter and shall notify each owner/landlord of each rental premises as to the time and place of such inspection. The inspection shall be for the purposes of determining compliance with Chapter 157 of the Town Code and other applicable laws and shall expressly include in each instance the determination of the presence of functioning and proper placement of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well as fire extinguishers pursuant to the provisions of state law and this Code.
Full Breakdown
Section 157-65(A) requires the Building Inspector or an authorized agent to schedule a biennial inspection of every registered rental premises and notify the owner or landlord of the time and place. The stated purpose is determining compliance with Chapter 157 and other applicable laws, and the section expressly requires checking for functioning, properly placed smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as well as fire extinguishers, per state law and the Town Code. Section 157-65(B) gives an owner cited for a violation only 10 days from the inspection report to fix it; missing that window is itself a separate violation of the chapter.
Where an owner or occupant refuses to allow the biennial inspection and there is reasonable cause to believe the rental article or the New York Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code has been violated, § 157-66 lets the Town Attorney apply to Justice Court for a search warrant, executable by a police officer, Building Inspector, Fire Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer, after notice has already been mailed to the owner. Section 157-67 keeps the inspection and registration paperwork open to the public through a Freedom of Information Law request, so a prospective tenant can confirm a unit passed its most recent biennial check before signing a lease.
Violations & Fines
Violating the inspection program falls under the rental registry article's penalty scale in § 157-68(A): $4,500 to $6,000 for a first offense, $8,000 to $11,000 for a second offense within five years, and $11,000 to $16,000 for a third within five years, plus up to 15 days' imprisonment. Each week a cited violation goes unresolved past its 10-day cure period is billed as an additional, separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clarkstown
New York rules heatmap·Compare Clarkstown to another location·View the New York rental inspections overview
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