Troy, NY Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)

Section 176-21 of the Troy City Code, adopted by the Troy City Council as part of the Housing Code, bars any person from occupying as owner-occupant, or letting to another for occupancy, a dwelling, multifamily dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit that fails its maintenance requirements. Two subsections deal with leaks. Subsection C covers plumbing fixtures: water lines, plumbing fixtures, vents and drains must be properly installed, connected and maintained in working order and kept free from obstructions, leaks and defects. Subsection D covers plumbing systems: every plumbing stack, waste and sewer line must function properly and be kept free from obstructions, leaks and defects to prevent structural deterioration or health hazards.

Repairs follow a named standard. Under subsection C, all repairs and installations must follow the Plumbing Code adopted by the City of Troy. Under subsection D, they must follow the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code or the Plumbing Code of the City of Troy. The code points readers to Chapter 141, Buildings, for the plumbing code itself.

The duty falls on whoever occupies the unit as owner or lets it to a tenant, so a landlord in Troy cannot rent out a unit with a leaking supply line or drain. The text of § 176-21 does not set a repair deadline or a reporting hotline. The time allowed comes from the written notice of violation under § 176-12, which must describe the real estate, specify the violation and the remedial action required, and allow a reasonable time for the performance of any act it requires. Inspections run through the Director of Code Enforcement or a designee under §§ 176-5 and 176-6, and under § 176-8B there is no charge for inspections performed as the result of complaints. Occupants carry a smaller duty of their own: § 176-26D makes every occupant responsible for keeping supplied plumbing fixtures clean and sanitary and for reasonable care in their proper use and operation. Section 176-20F separately requires every kitchen sink, lavatory sink, bathtub or shower and water closet to be connected to a public water and sewer system or an approved private one, with hot and cold running water supplied to sinks, bathtubs and showers.