Mount Vernon, NY Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- Who must register
- Owners who are not city residents
- Filing deadline
- March 15 annually (Jan. 15 compliance date)
- Fine for noncompliance
- $250 under § 198-3
- Agent requirement
- Local managing agent required in Mount Vernon
- Unpaid fee remedy
- Added to property tax levy, § 198-4
- Change reporting window
- 5 days for ownership or agent changes
Summary
Every absentee owner of real property in Mount Vernon, meaning anyone who is not a permanent city resident or a corporation without a Mount Vernon office, must file a written registration each year with the Building Department naming a local managing agent to accept Building Code and Department of Public Works violation notices and legal process on the owner's behalf.
Every such absentee owner shall file annually with the Building Department Commissioner a written absentee real property registration form to be supplied by the Building Department containing the name, address and telephone number of a managing agent, a person or corporation, whose residence or place of business must be in the City of Mount Vernon, which person or corporation shall be designated by such absentee owner as the agent of the said owner for the purpose of receiving notices of Building Code and Department of Public Works violations and for the service upon him, as agent of the owner, of sameness or other legal process directed to the owner of said real property, which person shall be charged with the duty of obeying all applicable statutes, ordinances, and orders relating to such real property. ... The form along with the requisite fee as prescribed by the Commissioner of Buildings must be filed with the Building Department on or before March 15, 2011, and each year on or before March 15 thereafter.
Full Breakdown
A, part of Chapter 198's Absentee Real Property Owners article, requires every absentee owner (§ 198-1: anyone not a permanent city resident, or a corporation without its principal office in Mount Vernon) to file a written registration form annually with the Building Department Commissioner. The form must name a managing agent whose residence or place of business is in Mount Vernon and who accepts Building Code and Department of Public Works violation notices and legal process for the owner, and who is charged with obeying all statutes and orders relating to the property.
Registrations were due by March 15, 2011, and every March 15 thereafter, along with the fee set by the Commissioner of Buildings; the designation must be notarized by both owner and agent. Under Subsection D, if the owner transfers title to a registered multiple dwelling, the new owner must file the grantee's name and address with the Building Commissioner within five days of the transfer. Subsection E requires any change to a registered name, residence, business address or officer list to be reported within five days.
Under Subsection F, a managing agent's designation lapses automatically if the agent dies or is declared judicially incompetent, and Subsection G lets an agent terminate the arrangement by serving the owner and filing proof with the Building Department, with the owner then required to file a new agent within 15 days or be in violation. Subsection C makes clear that naming an agent never relieves the owner of compliance duties under this section or the state's Multiple Residence Law, and Subsection J sets the annual compliance date at January 15.
Violations & Fines
Failing to file the annual absentee owner registration form and pay the required fee is punishable under § 198-3 by a $250 fine. If unpaid, § 198-4 lets the City add the fee to the property's next tax levy, where it is collected and bears interest the same as unpaid City property taxes. Registration statements also serve as prima facie proof of an owner or agent's identity in any Building Code prosecution under § 198-2.I.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who counts as an absentee real property owner in Mount Vernon?
What happens if I miss the March 15 registration deadline?
Does my managing agent have to live in Mount Vernon?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mount Vernon
New York rules heatmap·Compare Mount Vernon to another location·View the New York rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Rental Registration in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Westchester County handle rental registration.