Multi-family building A multi-family building is a property designed to house multiple separate dwelling units under one ownership, such as apartment buildings.
Multi-family buildings are commonly classified differently for taxes and may have different maintenance arrangements for sidewalks (owner, co-op, or management company responsibilities); owners should confirm who handles sidewalk repairs and how DOT or DOB notices will be served.
Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-family building
What is a multi-family building?
A property containing multiple separate dwelling units under one ownership, such as an apartment building.
Who is responsible for the sidewalk?
The owner of record. Management agreements or leases may assign the work, but the duty to injured pedestrians is non-delegable.
Do multi-family owners get the sidewalk exemption?
Only buildings of three units or fewer that are owner-occupied and exclusively residential can qualify. Larger buildings do not.
Who receives a violation notice?
The owner of record per City records, which is why keeping ownership information current matters after a sale or transfer.