Rochester, NY Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 90-16, Property Code
- 3+ unit buildings
- 3-year Certificate of Occupancy
- Non-owner one/two-family
- 6-year Certificate of Occupancy
- Lead High-Risk Area
- 3-year Certificate of Occupancy
- Renewal filing
- 90 days before expiration
Summary
Rochester requires a valid Certificate of Occupancy for rental dwellings, renewed on a fixed cycle after City inspection. Buildings with three or more units get a three-year C of O; non-owner-occupied one- and two-family rentals get six years, or three years inside the Lead Paint High-Risk Area.
No person shall permit the occupancy of a one-family dwelling or dwelling unit, a building containing two or more dwelling units, or a mixed-occupancy building containing one or more dwelling units unless a valid certificate of occupancy is in effect for said building.... A certificate of occupancy for a building containing three or more dwelling units ... shall be valid for a period of three years...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4935326; v86 updated 2026-06-16; through 06-16-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under § 90-16 of the Property Code, occupying a rental one-family dwelling, any building with two or more units, or a mixed-occupancy building without a valid Certificate of Occupancy is a health-and-safety violation ticketed under § 13A-11D(1)(c). The City's Department inspects for substantial compliance with the Property Code, Building Code, Zoning Code, and New York State Multiple Residence Law before issuing. C of O terms run three years for three-plus-unit buildings and for one- or two-family homes in the Lead Paint High-Risk Area, and six years for other non-owner-occupied one/two-family rentals. Owners must apply for renewal at least 90 days before expiration, and the C of O also serves as the Lead Safety Certificate under Public Health Law § 1377.
Violations & Fines
Occupying or renting without a valid C of O is a ticketed health-and-safety violation under § 13A-11D(1)(c); the Director or Commissioner may order occupants to vacate and pursue Chapter 52 remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Certificate of Occupancy to rent in Rochester?
How often must a Rochester rental C of O be renewed?
Does the Certificate of Occupancy cover lead paint?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rochester
New York rules heatmap·Compare Rochester to another location·View the New York rental inspections overview
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