New York § 161 - 161Description of premises

Full text of New York New York Consolidated Laws § 161 — 161Description of premises, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 161. 161Description of premises

§ 161. Description of premises. In the assessment of any lands in the city for any purpose, it shall be sufficient to state the name of one of the owners of such lands if the owner or owners or any of them be residents of the city and known to the assessors; if the owner or owners be unknown to the assessors or if they be nonresidents and the ownership is unknown to the assessors, then the assessment may be designated unknown, and there shall be stated the number of the lot and the block, if subdivided into lots and blocks and so designated upon the city map last adopted by the common council, or the number of the lot or farm lot, if not so subdivided into blocks and lots and so designated, and also the street and number of any building thereon; but if the land be vacant or the building thereon be not numbered, then the name of the street on which it fronts and a brief description of the premises shall be given. In case no inhabited building be on the land and the residence of the owner be unknown, such owner may be designated as unknown. No assessment hereafter made in said city shall be held to be invalid because the same may be made out in terms against owner or owners unknown or the estate of a deceased person, naming such person, or the executor, administrator, heirs or devisees of a deceased person, naming such person, or any of them or against a company or a firm name, or against a person in whom is the record title, though not the actual title of the property, or for any cause arising through ignorance or mistake as to the names of the owner or owners of the property assessed, whether individually or a corporation, provided such property is sufficiently described on the assessment-rolls to reasonably identify and indicate to a person familiar with the same the particular property which it was intended to assess. Every assessment-roll shall be considered as referring to the last adopted map, unless it be otherwise stated therein.

Source: official New York text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About New York § 161

What does New York Consolidated Laws § 161 cover?

Section 161 ("161Description of premises") is part of the New York Consolidated Laws, the codified statutory law of New York. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New York § 161?

A common citation format is "New York Consolidated Laws § 161" (New York). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of New York law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New York official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New York attorney.

How does New York § 161 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New York can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New York.