1. Where to Start: SeeClickFix and Search Albany
Can I report a non-emergency City issue such as a pothole or an overgrown lot without making a phone call?
You can. SeeClickFix is a free and user-friendly mobile app and web tool that allows
people to report and track quality-of-life issues and “get things fixed” where they live
or work. Constituents can use it to report non-emergency neighborhood issues such as
graffiti, potholes, damaged trees, illegal parking, vacant buildings, and illegal trash.
With SeeClickFix, people can map the location of an issue, add video or photos, and
include comments. City of Albany staff monitors issues, responds to posts, and
addresses problems. The communication between constituents and staff is direct,
transparent and trackable.
SeeClickFix users can monitor their issue or issues in a specific neighborhood with the neighborhood watch
feature from the time they are reported until they are addressed. To use the app, go to SeeClickFix or
download the SeeClickFix app on your smartphone.
Is there a convenient online tool where I can learn about my neighborhood?
There is. Search Albany is a powerful resource to get information about your property and neighborhood. It’s
an interactive online map that includes web links and data to make it easier to access property information,
explore local government, collaborate with partners, and connect with community assets.
Search Albany, also known as MapGeo, allows you to click
on your property to find out your trash pickup day, access
your tax bill, and find the value of your home as well as find
contact information for your Common Council Member and
Police Neighborhood Engagement Officer. By clicking on
the “Themes” buttons, you can find out more about cultural
resources as well as locate historic districts, nearby green
space, zoning boundaries, neighborhood associations, and
more. As a Google-based map, it also helps you to visualize
your neighborhood with a street view, get driving directions,
click on bus stops for schedules, and create custom maps to
share with others.
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2. Property Maintenance, Including Trash and Recycling
(For more detail, see DGS’s new information portal: www.AlbanyNeighborhoods.com)
How must I maintain my property?
All properties and buildings must be kept free of conditions that are unsightly or unsafe. Each property owner
is required to maintain their property to the curb or street, keeping sidewalks and planting strips free of weeds, debris and obstructions.
If you are concerned about a property, or an empty lot is overgrown, or there is an accumulation of weeds,
trash, debris, junk or animal feces, use SeeClickFix or call the Department of General Services at (518) 434-CITY (2489). If the debris is not considered a health or safety hazard, property owners will be posted and will have
five days to clean it up. If the debris is considered a hazard, DGS will clean it up and bill the property owners.
For these other public nuisance conditions, contact the Department of Buildings & Regulatory Compliance at
(518) 434-5995:
• Buildings without proper permits, which must be displayed in windows
• Dilapidated signs or structures, including sheds, garages and fences
• Signs advertising a business that is no longer there
• Major vehicle repair activity, including auto body work, in residential areas
• Overcrowding of homes or apartments or illegal units in a home
• Construction or power equipment noise before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
• Vehicles stored on property planting strips and in alleys instead of in residents’ off-street
parking areas; if vehicles are stored on streets, contact the Albany Parking Authority
(CustomerService@ParkAlbany.com /(518) 434-8886)
Where do I report graffiti?
Graffiti can be reported through SeeClickFix or
DGS at (518) 434-CITY (2489).
Where do I report a vacant building?
Reporting vacant buildings and their condition in a timely manner is
important in preventing properties from deteriorating, which hurts a
property and a neighborhood.
Report vacant buildings to Sam Wells, the City of Albany Neighborhood Stabilization Coordinator, at
swells@albanyny.gov or (518) 694-4813 so the City can keep an accurate count of them and pursue issues
and policies to decrease their numbers.
Report code violations, such as a broken window or staircase, or a hole in a siding or roof, to SeeClickFix or the Department of Buildings & Regulatory Compliance at codes@albanyny.gov or (518) 434-5995. If the vacant
property is overgrown or has a sidewalk that has not been cleared of snow, contact the Department of
General Services at generalservices@albanyny.gov or (518) 434-CITY (2489). If it is clear a vacant
building is owned by the Albany County Land Bank (their sign will be on the building), report any code
issues, complaints, or interest in purchasing the property to the Land Bank at info@albanycountylandbank.org
or (518) 407-0309.
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What are the rules around trash pickup?
Albany’s Department of General Services collects trash weekly, including holidays, from residential dwellings with four or fewer units. All others, including mixed-occupancy buildings, must contract for private collection.
Trash should be placed curbside between 4:30 p.m. and midnight
the day prior to pickup. Excessive quantities of trash are subject
to a bill and a fine. Large household items such as furniture,
mattresses and toilets may be placed at the curb in limited
quantities. The same is true of a small number of trash bags.
If you are placing such items curbside, please notify DGS at
(518) 434-CITY (2489) during normal business hours at least
24 hours prior to your collection day.
Do I have to separate my recyclables?
Residents can put all their recyclables in a single-stream
recycling cart or bin that is provided for free by the City.
Recyclables are picked up once a week on the same day
that trash is picked up. DGS also sponsors paper shredding and book recycling events two times a year.
Check albanynyrecycles.com for dates and details.
What should I do with my yard waste, such as
branches, grass and leaves?
From spring to fall, Albany residents can place their yard waste
curbside in compostable bags. Branches up to four feet long can
be placed curbside, but they must be bundled and tied. Albany
turns this yard waste in to compost, mulch and woodchips, which
are free to Albany residents for use in landscaping or home
gardens. For more information, visit albanynyrecycles.com.
What do I do with hazardous waste or electronics?
New York State law forbids residents from disposing electronics or hazardous waste in the trash, curbside or in landfills. These include phones, computers, game consoles, TVs, motor oil, light bulbs, batteries, cleaning
products, paints, pesticides, and more (for a complete list, visit albanynyrecycles.com).
Electronics and hazardous waste can also be disposed at hazardous waste and electronics drop-off events throughout the year at the Rapp Road Landfill. To participate in these drop-off events, you must pre-register online by visiting albanyrecycles.com or by calling DGS at (518) 434-CITY (2489).
Electronics can also be dropped off at DGS at 1 Richard J. Conners Blvd. Monday through Friday
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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3. Snow Emergencies and Removal
(For more detail, see DGS’s new information portal: www.AlbanyNeighborhoods.com)
Do I have to clear ice and snow from the
sidewalk around my house?
Yes, property owners are responsible for keeping sidewalks
and ramps along their property lines clear of snow and ice
so that people can safely come and go to services, jobs and
schools. According to City Code 323-21, property owners
must clear the snow and ice within 24 hours after a
snowstorm ends.
If your sidewalk is not cleared within 24 hours, the
Department of General Services can clear the sidewalk.
The property owner will be issued a bill for the cost of
removal and charged a fine, which if unpaid, will be added
to the owner’s tax bill. If you would like to report a concern
regarding snow and ice removal, report it through
SeeClickFix or call the Department of General Services
at (518) 434-CITY (2489).
What should I expect during a Snow Emergency?
When it is snowing, the City’s priority is to keep the driving lanes open for safe passage of emergency vehicles and other traffic. Snow Emergencies are called to remove remaining snow from parking lanes, parking lots
and streets.
When a Snow Emergency is declared it’s announced in the following ways: radio & TV news; message boards & signs placed on City streets; the City’s website and City of Albany social media pages; the Snow Hotline (518) 476-SNOW (7669); nixle.com or the Nixle app on your smartphone; and Nextdoor.com.
During a snow emergency, normal parking regulations are temporarily suspended. Vehicles must be parked on the even side of the street for the first 24 hours of a Snow Emergency and on the odd side of the street for the second 24 hours. For locations of City parking lots that are made available during a Snow Emergency, go to
albanyny.gov and visit the Department of General Services’ Snow Emergency page.
If your car is parked on the wrong side of the street and towed during a Snow Emergency, call the Albany Police Department at (518) 438-4000 for information. Once the snow emergency is over, all parking regulations go
back to normal.
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4. Tenants’ And Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities
City of Albany, NY
Renters Bill of Rights |
As a renter in the City of Albany, you have 68°F 20°C | the rig | ht to... |
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Live in an apartment that is
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If you have any of these issues, contact your landlord, the City of Albany Codes
Department at (518) 434-5410, or the United Tenants of Albany Housing Hotline at (518) 436-8997. For more information point your phone camera to this QR code or visit: https://www.albanyny.gov/Government/Departments/DivisionOfBuildingsAndRegulatoryCompliance/RentersBillofRights.aspx |
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If tenants have questions about their situation, they should contact the United Tenants of Albany (255 Orange St./Albany, NY 12206/Housing Hotline - (518) 436-8997 extension 3, or hotline@unitedtenantsalbany.org).
The Legal Aid Society may also be able to help: 95 Central Avenue/Albany, New York 12206 or (518) 462-6765.
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