Utica Good Cause Eviction Law: Common Council Vote Set for Nov. 18

The Utica Common Council is scheduled to vote on opting into New York's Good Cause Eviction law on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m., after a heated discussion at its Nov. 4 meeting, WKTV reported. Council meetings are held at Utica City Hall, 1 Kennedy Plaza.

What the law would change for covered units:

Evictions and non-renewals	Landlord needs a reason, such as unpaid rent or damage
Rent increases	Tenants can challenge hikes above 10% or inflation plus 5%, whichever is lower
Landlord defense	Higher taxes, insurance, maintenance or improvements can justify a bigger increase
Exemption	Substantially upgraded units can be exempt for 30 years

Landlords and Councilmember Joseph Betrus Jr. spoke against it, saying owners already absorb the cost of damage and unpaid rent. CNY Citizen Action, which rallied at City Hall in September, wants a public hearing first; none had been announced.

The state passed the law in 2024 and left it to each city to opt in.