Housing/MDRR
The Rockland County Department of Health is responsible for the enforcement of housing hygiene and occupancy regulations pursuant to the Rockland County Sanitary Code. The Department investigates all residential housing complaints, including allegations regarding single family dwellings, multiple dwellings, rental properties and owner-occupied premises. Compliance with interior and exterior sanitary codes are required, including but not limited to provisions for gas, electric and water services, second means of egress, hoarding, garbage, pests, structural integrity, over-occupancy and habitability in general.
The Department performs inspections of residences at the request of the Rockland County Department of Social Services (DSS). Referrals for inspection are made directly to the Department of Health by DSS on behalf of their client(s). All proposed DSS residences must be in full compliance with the housing hygiene and occupancy requirements as set forth in the County Sanitary Code and approved by the health inspector.
Multiple Dwelling Rental Registry - MDRR
The Rockland Codes Investigations (RCI) Multiple Dwelling Rental Registry is in effect. View the Rockland County Sanitary Code, Article XIII, Section 13.8.1. All multiple dwellings with three (3) or more rental units, and all rooming houses, must register and obtain a Multiple Dwelling Rental Certificate. A new Certificate is required after each change of property ownership. Failure to comply is a violation of Article XIII, which may result in penalties of $2,000.00 per day.
How to Register
Rental registration requires completion of the on-line application; paper applications and walk-ins will not be accepted.
For registration, you will need:
- Property deed: The deed must be in electronic format (scanned or photographed), uploaded and submitted with the application. Deeds are filed with the Rockland County Clerk's Office upon sale or transfer of the property.
- Certificate of Occupancy (CO): The CO must be in electronic format (scanned or photographed), uploaded and submitted with the application. COs are among the papers required at closing. If you do not have a CO, obtain a copy from your town building department.
- Payment, in the form of credit card or eCheck for the one-time fee of $25 per dwelling unit or rooming unit within a dwelling.
- Valid email address to create an account on the new County portal.
- You will be mailed a smoking policy application to complete and return.
Complete the Online MDRR Application:
- Go to the Self-Service Plan Permit & Licensing Portal. Press the button, below.
- Log into the portal or create a new account.
- Go to the APPLY tab.
- Go to the PERMITS tab.
- Scroll down to Multiple Dwelling Rental Registry. Hit the APPLY button.
- Complete the application process.
- Upon approval of application, an invoice will be generated and sent to you by email.
- Submit payment upon receipt of the invoice. Go to MY ACCOUNT, then MY INVOICES.
Upon successful completion of the application process, your certificate will be mailed to you.
Congratulations!
For information or assistance, please call:
Rockland County Department of Health
RCI/Housing
(845) 364-2585
Notice:
- The Rental Registry Certificate is subject to all terms specified in the Rockland County Sanitary Code, Article XIII, Section 13.8.1, and agreed to upon completion of the application.
- The Rental Registry Certificate remains in effect unless and until one or more of the terms are violated.
- Rental Registry Certificates are non-transferable and are subject to suspension or revocation by the Commissioner of Health for failure to comply with all applicable laws.
- Upon property sale or transfer of ownership, application for a new certificate, with payment of associated fee, is required.
Rooming Houses
The Department of Health is responsible for annual inspections and permitting of all Rooming Houses in the County. Rooming houses are subject to compliance with the housing hygiene and occupancy regulations set forth in the County Sanitary Code in general. Rooming Houses are also subject to specific requirements regarding bathroom facilities, cooking and dining restrictions, door locks, sleeping area floor space, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector location and compliance with local ordinances, including local building department codes. The Department investigates all Rooming House complaints, involving both general housing complaints and allegations of illegal and/or non-permitted operation.
Temporary Residences (TRs) and Mobile Home Parks (MHP)
The Department of Health is responsible for annual inspections and permitting of all Temporary Residences and Mobile Home Parks in the County. All Temporary Residences (such as hotels and motels) and Mobile Home (Trailer) Parks are inspected annually for compliance with New York State Sanitary Code, Part 17 & subpart 7-1. Inspections focus on general site maintenance and fire safety. The Rockland County Department of Health must issue a permit to operate these facilities, which are renewed annually.
Campgrounds
Pursuant to the New York State Sanitary Code the Department is responsible for the enforcement of certain campground regulations. Specifically, the Department conducts permit inspections and investigates complaints in conjunction with carnivals held seasonally throughout the County. The campground permit requirements involve portable toilets, trash and offensive material, common sewage holding containers, recreational vehicles, campers, and bunkhouse trailers or any other residence on site for the purpose of housing carnival employees. Such housing units and/or living quarters are inspected for sewage leaks and/or leaks involving the water supply connections and are strictly limited to exterior inspections.
Violators of the Rockland County Sanitary Code are subject to administrative proceedings, including suspension and/or revocation of permits and monetary penalties. Serious violations, such as longer than temporary disruption of gas, electric and/or water service may be referred directly to the Rockland County Department of Law for Supreme Court proceedings.
- For further information, please see the Rockland County Sanitary Code, Article XIII, Housing Hygiene and Occupancy.
- Permit Application to Operate Rooming House, Temporary Residence, Mobile Home Park, Campground
Migrant Farmworker Housing
The Department of Health conducts permit inspections of migrant farmworker housing facilities occupied by five (5) or more persons, one (1) or more of whom are employed to perform farm activities*. (The property owner or other persons occupying the property on a continuous annual basis are not included in computing the number of persons occupying the property). The migrant farm camp permit requirements mandate that no public health hazards, housing violations and/or fire hazards exist on the property. Additionally, the property must be maintained in safe and sanitary condition, including but not limited to, adequate sleeping quarters, provisions for electric and water services, toilets, sewage and refuse disposal, food preparation, laundry and bathing facilities. The Department also investigates migrant farm camp complaints.
*Pursuant to the New York State Sanitary Code, Part 15, Migrant Farmworker Housing.
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