Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Renewable Certificate of Occupancy for 1-2 family rentals: every 6 years (3 years with lead exceptions) Verified
Deadline: Every 6 years from the certificate of occupancy issue date (every 3 years if Lead High-Risk Area or interior deteriorated paint found)
Non-owner-occupied 1-2 family rentals need a renewable Certificate of Occupancy, renewed every 6 years—or every 3 years if the property is in the Lead High-Risk Area or deteriorated paint is found inside.
Who it covers: Non-owner-occupied 1-2 family rentals. 3-year cycle if in the Lead High-Risk Area or deteriorated interior paint is found. Owner-occupied 1-2 family: no C of O, but see 2026 change for owner-occupied two-unit properties in the High-Risk Area (only owner's unit interior exempt).
"1 or 2 family rental, not owner-occupied** Yes 6 years" cityofrochester.gov
"**Lead exceptions The property is located in the Lead High-Risk Area Deteriorated paint is found inside during an inspection 3 years" cityofrochester.gov
Notes: City of Rochester official page (table). Underlying City Code Ch. 90 not snapshotted. Adds to NY state law. Conflict between city pages: the 'When a Certificate of Occupancy is required' table lists 1-2 family owner-occupied homes as needing no certificate, but the city's 2026 lead paint changes page says two-unit owner-occupied properties are no longer fully exempt (only the owner's own unit interior is exempt from inspection). Confirm with the City of Rochester.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
Renewable Certificate of Occupancy for 3+ unit and mixed-occupancy buildings: every 3 years Verified
Deadline: Every 3 years from the certificate of occupancy issue date
Apartment buildings (3+ units) and mixed-occupancy buildings with dwelling units must renew their Certificate of Occupancy every 3 years.
Who it covers: Also mixed-occupancy buildings with 1+ dwelling units.
"Apartment building (3 or more dwelling units) Yes 3 years" cityofrochester.gov
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
Pre-1980 rentals in Lead High-Risk Area: active C of O by 10/1/2026, then 3-year inspections with dust-wipe testing Verified
Deadline: Every 3 years from the certificate of occupancy issue date; first deadline 2026-10-01
Affected pre-1980 rentals in Rochester's Lead High-Risk Area must have an active C of O by October 1, 2026, and then complete a C of O inspection every three years including lead dust-wipe testing of every unit.
Who it covers: Properties built before 1980, inside the City's Lead Paint High-Risk Area, with at least one rental unit. The C of O doubles as the NYS Lead Safety Certificate (PHL 1377); C of O/Building Owner Registry info doubles as the state Rental Registry submission.
"All impacted properties are now required to complete a C of O inspection every three years, including proactive lead dust wipe testing for every unit. All impacted properties must have an active C of O in place by 10/1/2026" cityofrochester.gov
"The renewable Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) will now double as the Lead Safety Certificate that is required by PHL 1377" cityofrochester.gov
Notes: Implements NYS Public Health Law §1377 locally (see ny/state.json lead-rental-registry rule). Two-unit rentals there needed a C of O issued on or after 10/1/2023. Conflict between city pages: the older C of O table still lists owner-occupied 1-2 family homes as exempt, while this 2026 page says owner-occupied two-unit properties must now complete the C of O process. Confirm with the City of Rochester.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction
At least 90 days before the rent increase takes effect (30 days for occupancy under 1 year; 60 days for occupancy 1-2 years; 90 days for occupancy 2+ years or 2-year lease)
At least 90 days before the lease ends (30 days for occupancy under 1 year; 60 days for occupancy 1-2 years; 90 days for occupancy 2+ years or 2-year lease)