**Attention All Residential Property Owners in the City of Jamestown**
Filing a Landlord Registration Form with the Jamestown City Clerk is required annually by February 1 or within thirty (30) days of transferring property within the City of Jamestown. This requirement is mandated by Chapter 215 of the Jamestown City Code.
Failure to file a Landlord Registration Form is a violation of city code and may result in legal action, including mandatory court costs.
This requirement applies to all recorded owners of properties containing residential rental units or rooms within the City of Jamestown. The recorded owner is solely responsible for ensuring the form is fully completed and for providing accurate, up-to-date information to the City Clerk’s Office for as long as they own the property.
A fillable Rental Property Registration Form is available online (link provided below) or can be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office, located at:
200 East Third Street, Municipal Building – 1st Floor, Jamestown, NY 14701.
Completed forms must be returned to the City Clerk’s Office either in person or by mail to the address above.
For questions or assistance, please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
The City of Jamestown requires rental property registration to:
- Ensure the safety and desirability of rental housing for all residents.
- Address substandard housing conditions that impact public health and safety.
- Maintain a log of available and unavailable housing units for efficient emergency response.
Definitions:
- Rental Housing Unit: A unit providing living facilities rented or available for rent to tenants.
- Owner: Any entity holding title to the property.
- Local Contact Representative: A designated person responsible for acting on behalf of the owner.
- Common Areas: Shared spaces accessible to all occupants, such as lobbies, hallways, and laundry rooms.
Exemptions:
The following are exempt from registration:
- Transient lodging (e.g., hotels, motels, inns).
- Units in state-licensed hospitals, hospices, or religious housing.
- Units inspected by government entities at least once every five years.
Registration Requirements:
Effective August 1, 2024, all rental properties must:
- Register with the City of Jamestown using the official registration form.
- Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for each rental unit.
- Pay the required registration fee.
Information Required for Registration:
- Property description, including address and Assessor’s Parcel Number.
- Number and address of all rental units on the property.
- Owner’s contact information.
- Local Contact Representative’s contact information.
- Contact information for repair requests.
- Past violations within the last two years.
- Additional information as required by the Director of Development.
Deadlines:
- Initial registration is due within 90 days of August 1, 2024.
- New owners must register within 30 days of ownership transfer.
Inspections:
- Post-Transfer Inspections: All rental properties are subject to inspection within 90 days of ownership transfer.
- Scope: Includes the exterior, common areas, and all rental units.
- Non-Compliance: Failure to comply results in the revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy.
Fees:
- Initial Registration Fee:
- $20 for single-family rental units.
- $40 for multi-unit rental properties.
- Annual Renewal Fee:
- $20 for single-family units.
- $40 for multi-unit properties.
- Re-Inspection Fee: $25 per unit for repeat inspections with unresolved violations.
- Failure to Register Fee: $50 per unregistered unit after one year.
- No Fee for New Buildings: Newly constructed dwellings are exempt from registration fees.
Inspection Notice:
- Written notices will be mailed 14 days before inspections to:
- Property owners.
- Local Contact Representatives.
- Occupants of the rental housing units.
Access Requirements:
- Owners or Local Contact Representatives must provide access for inspections.
- Tenant consent is required for unit inspections. If denied, the city may seek a court warrant.
