[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Massapequa Park 3-7-1994 by L.L. No. 6-1994; amended in its entirety 6-11-2012 by L.L. No. 2-2012.
Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Brush, grass and weeds — See Ch. 94.
Cesspools and septic tanks — See Ch. 100.
Electrical standards — See Ch. 128.
Fire prevention and building construction — See Ch. 154.
Enclosed garages — See Ch. 170.
Garbage, rubbish and refuse — See Ch. 174.
Graffiti — See Ch. 182.
Health and sanitation — See Ch. 184.
Landscaping — See Ch. 196.
Plumbing and drainage — See Ch. 248.
Abandoned refrigerators — See Ch. 262.
Stormwater management and erosion and sediment control — See Ch. 294.
Abandoned vehicles — See Ch. 320.
Unregistered vehicles — See Ch. 328.
This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Property Maintenance
Code of the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park."
It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to provide for
and ensure the proper use of property and to prevent the unsafe, hazardous
or dangerous conditions upon property within the Village of Massapequa
Park; to provide basic and uniform standards governing the maintenance,
appearance and condition of all properties, whether improved or unimproved,
residential, commercial or otherwise. The Village finds that the presence
of blight upon properties, caused by factors, including, but not limited
to, foreclosures throughout the Village, is detrimental to the health,
safety and welfare of the Village. It is the intent, therefore, of
the Village that blight be identified, abated and eliminated and that
any and all conditions which pose a threat to the health and safety
of the public or to property within the Village of Massapequa Park
be eliminated. The Board of Trustees finds that upon the failure to
eliminate such conditions, the Village may cause to have said conditions
eliminated and assess the cost thereof against the owners, occupants
or other persons as set forth in this chapter.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Surface and subsurface water shall be drained to prevent damage to
buildings and structures and to prevent development of stagnant waters.
Gutters, culverts, catch basins, drain inlets, storm water sewers
and sanitary sewers or other satisfactory drainage systems shall be
provided and utilized. In no case shall the water from any rain leader
be allowed to flow over the sidewalk of adjoining property.
(2)
All property shall be well maintained so that lawns, hedges, bushes,
trees and weeds shall be trimmed so as to prevent overgrown and unsightly
conditions. In no event shall any plant growth overhang or extend
beyond the property line. No weeds or plant growth shall be permitted
to exceed 10 inches in height.
(3)
All fences shall be maintained in a safe and attractive state and
be maintained in good repair. Such maintenance shall include, but
not be limited to, the replacement and/or repair of fences which may
become in disrepair.
(4)
No shopping baskets, carts or wagons shall be left unattended or
standing, and said baskets, carts or wagons shall be regularly collected
and removed to the interior of the building or buildings from which
they were taken by the person responsible for said building or buildings.
B.
Buildings and structures.
(1)
All exterior exposed surfaces shall be repaired, coated, treated
or sealed to protect them from deterioration or weathering.
(2)
Floors, walls, ceilings, stairs, furnishing and fixtures of buildings
shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. Every
floor, exterior wall, roof and porch, or appurtenance thereto, shall
be maintained in a manner so as to prevent collapse of the same or
injury to the occupants of the building or to the public.
(3)
Foundation walls of every building shall be maintained in good repair
and be structurally sound.
(4)
Exterior walls (including doors and windows), roofs and the areas
around doors, windows, chimneys and other parts of a building shall
be so maintained as to keep water from entering the building. Materials
which have been damaged or show evidence of dry rot or other deterioration
or damage shall be repaired or replaced and refinished in a good workmanlike
manner. Exterior walls, roofs and other parts of the building shall
be free from loose and unsecured objects and materials. Such objects
or materials shall be removed, repaired or replaced.
(5)
Each and every part of the property, including but not limited to
stairs, steps, walks, walkways, driveways, parking areas and spaces
and other paved surfaces shall be kept in good repair, and in a clean,
sanitary and safe condition and free from any litter, debris, paper,
dirt, garbage or junk. All stairs, steps, walks, walkways, driveways,
parking areas and spaces and other paved surfaces and areas shall
be maintained in a manner which permits for safe passage. Any holes
or other hazards that may exist shall be filled, or necessary repairs
or replacement carried out. All driveways and parking spaces shall
be covered with a dustless surface, and such driveways and parking
spaces shall be regularly cleaned to avoid accumulation of dirt, paper
or any debris. Any and all sidewalks shall be kept free from snow
and ice. In removing such snow or ice, no person shall put the same
in the gutter or drain of the street or in any manner fill up or obstruct
any such gutter or drain.
(6)
Vacant buildings shall be maintained in a condition that does not
present a hazard to adjoining properties, buildings, structures or
to the public.
(7)
All property, buildings and structures shall be maintained free of
insects, vermin and rodent harborage and infestation. Insects, rodents
or other pests shall be exterminated or caused to be exterminated
and methods used for such extermination shall conform with generally
accepted practices and comply with all applicable law.
(8)
No building or structure shall be permitted to exist with graffiti.
Graffiti shall be removed and the building or structure restored.
For purposes of this subsection, "graffiti" is defined as any writing,
painting, drawing, staining, carving, etching or other marking, made
by use of chalk, paint, ink, aerosol spray can, knife, pencil or any
other marking device and/or material, of any word, name, lettering,
inscription, figure, design, or other representation, made upon a
portion of a building or structure without the consent of the owner.
Signs with proper sign permits or approval are expressly not included
in the definition of graffiti.
(9)
Blighted property is prohibited. In determining whether a property
shall be designated as blighted, the following factors shall be considered
by the Building Inspector:
(a)
Boarded windows, doors, entryways or exits;
(b)
Broken or unsecured windows;
(c)
Excessive litter or debris;
(d)
Overgrown grass at least 10 inches or higher or other overgrown
vegetation or shrubbery;
(e)
More than one unregistered motor vehicle;
(f)
Roofs, gutters, siding/shingles, chimney, shutters, and/or accessory
structures, including, but not limited to, decks, sheds, porches,
pools, pool houses or cabanas, garages, carports, storage units, front
and rear porches, outside statuary, and/or fish ponds which are broken,
unsecured, or in disrepair;
(g)
Junk vehicles, salvage, or scrap property;
(h)
Damaged, unsightly, unsecured or unpermitted signage or awnings;
(i)
Graffiti;
(j)
Fencing which is broken, unsecured or in disrepair;
(k)
Outdoor lighting fixtures which are broken, unsecured or in
disrepair;
(l)
Electrical wires, electrical equipment or extension cords which
are broken, exposed or hazardously utilized;
(m)
Unfinished or abandoned construction;
(n)
Damaged, dead or fallen trees or limbs;
(o)
Fire damage to property which has not been repaired or restored;
(p)
Peeling or deteriorated paint;
(q)
Stagnant water;
(r)
Open or unsecured wells, cesspools or cisterns;
(s)
Vermin, rodent harborage or infestation;
(t)
Any other factors deemed by the Building Inspector to pose significant
threat to the safety, health and/or general welfare of the Village;
and
(u)
Presence within/upon an outdoor area or the improper storage
of:
[1]
Refrigerator, washing machine, sink, stove, heater, boiler,
tank, other household appliances, boxes or indoor furniture for a
period in excess of 72 consecutive hours; and/or
[2]
Lumber, construction materials, dirt, debris, trash, garbage
or uncovered refuse cans, accumulated refuse or garbage in covered
refuse cans which is not timely or properly disposed of.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person, owner
or occupant to create, cause, maintain or cause to, or permit to,
continue or to fail to abate, correct or remove any condition that
is prohibited by this chapter. For purposes of this chapter, "any
person" shall include the owner, occupant, tenant, mortgagee or vendee
in possession, mortgagee when the owner or occupant has caused or
allowed the property to deteriorate or otherwise fall into a state
of disrepair or blight, a mortgagee who has commenced the foreclosure
process, the operator, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee,
lessee, agent or any other person, firm, or corporation directly or
indirectly in control of property or part thereof.
A.
Owners of property shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions
of this chapter and shall remain responsible therefor regardless of
the fact that this chapter may also place responsibilities on operators,
occupants and others and regardless of any agreements between owners,
operators, occupants or others as to which party shall assume such
responsibility.
B.
Whenever any person or persons shall be in actual possession of or
have charge, care or control of any property within the Village of
Massapequa Park as executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, operator
or agent, such person shall be deemed and taken to be the owner or
owners of said property within the true intent and meaning of this
chapter and shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter
to the same extent as the record owner, and notice to any such person
or any order or decision of the Building Inspector shall be deemed
and taken to be a good and sufficient notice, as if such person or
persons were actually the record owner or owners of such property.
In instances where an occupant is responsible or shares responsibility
with the owner for the existence of one of more violations of this
chapter, said occupant shall be deemed and taken to be an owner within
the true intent and meaning of this chapter.
A.
The mortgage holder shall immediately notify the Village, in writing,
of its notice to the owner of the owner's failure to maintain
the property. Upon the commencement of foreclosure proceedings the
mortgage holder shall also immediately notify the Village, in writing,
of such action. Commencement of a foreclosure proceeding shall be
defined in this chapter as the service of a notice of foreclosure
upon a property owner.
B.
Upon either of the contingencies set forth in § 254-6A, the mortgage holder shall also deposit with the Village a sum determined by the Building Inspector to be sufficient for the maintenance and repair of the property. The Building Inspector shall have the authority to reduce or waive the deposit.
A.
The Building Inspector is hereby authorized and directed to make
all inspections necessary to determine whether compliance with the
provisions of this chapter exists. For the purpose of making such
inspections, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to enter,
examine and survey at all reasonable times all dwellings, dwelling
units and premises. The owner or occupants of every dwelling or dwelling
unit, or the person in charge thereof, shall give the Building Inspector
free access to such dwelling or dwelling unit and its premises at
all reasonable times for the purpose of such inspection, examination
and survey. Every occupant of a dwelling or dwelling unit shall give
the owner thereof, or his agent or employee, access to any part of
such dwelling or dwelling unit or its premises at all reasonable times
for the purpose of making such repairs or alterations as are necessary
to effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter or with any
lawful rule or regulation adopted or any lawful order issued pursuant
to the provisions of this chapter.
B.
In the event that permission to enter any such dwelling, dwelling
unit, rooming house, rooming unit or boardinghouse for the purpose
of inspection is denied, the Building Inspector may apply to the appropriate
authority for a search warrant.
C.
A warrant shall not be required:
A.
The Building Inspector or any other enforcement officer appointed
by the Building Inspector of the Village of Massapequa Park shall
be charged with the duty of administering and enforcing this chapter.
B.
It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector or any other duly
appointed enforcement officer of the Village of Massapequa Park to
issue a notice of violation to order in writing the correction of
all conditions found to exist in or on any premises which violate
the provisions of this chapter. Alternatively, the Building Inspector
may, in his sole discretion, issue an appearance ticket pursuant to
Article 150 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
C.
If a notice of violation is issued it shall be served either personally
or by posting. If a notice of violation is served by posting, it shall
be posted in a conspicuous place upon the premises of the person(s)
charged with the violation, and a copy thereof shall be mailed by
certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person(s) charged.
If the person so charged is not the owner, the notice shall also be
mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner.
D.
A notice of violation shall state that, unless, within 10 calendar
days from service of the notice of violation, five calendar days for
violations relating to grass, vegetation or shrubbery, a written request
is made for a hearing before the Building Inspector, the notice of
violation shall, at the expiration of such ten-day period, or five
calendar days, as the case may be, be deemed an order to cease and
desist from and to abate, correct or remove the offending conditions;
such notice shall prescribe a reasonable time within which such person
shall be required to cease and desist from and abate, correct or remove
such violative condition.
E.
Within five calendar days of receipt of a request for a hearing,
the Building Inspector in his sole discretion shall advise in writing
whether the hearing will be conducted upon written submissions or
will require personal appearance(s). If personal appearance is required,
the hearing shall be commenced no later than 15 calendar days after
the request for hearing is made, provided that, for good cause, the
Building Inspector may postpone such hearing for a reasonable time.
If, after the hearing, the enforcement officer finds that no violation
exists, or that unusual, extraordinary or undue hardship exists, he
shall withdraw the notice of violation. If the Building Inspector
finds that a violation exists, he shall issue a decision ordering
the abatement, correction or removal of same within a prescribed reasonable
time. The decision of the Building Inspector shall be issued within
seven calendar days of the hearing. In the event that the hearing
is conducted upon written submissions, the decision shall be issued
within seven days of the date the written submissions were submitted.
F.
Any party aggrieved by the decision of the Building Inspector may,
within five calendar days of the Building Inspector's decision,
appeal the decision to the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village
of Massapequa Park.
A.
If the violative condition is not abated, corrected or removed within
20 calendar days, five calendar days for violations relating to grass,
vegetation or shrubbery, after the cease and desist order or decision,
as the case may be, the Building Inspector is hereby authorized and
empowered to pay for the abatement, correction or removal of the conditions
in violation of this chapter, or to have the condition(s) abated,
corrected or abated.
B.
In the event that the Village of Massapequa Park has abated, corrected or removed the offending conditions or has paid for such abatement, correction or removal, the actual cost thereof, plus the accrued legal rate of interest per annum from the date of the completion of the work shall be charged to the parties responsible, as set forth in § 254-4, or the owner of the offending property, building or structure, as the case may be, and such charge shall become due and payable at the time of the present amount of such bill. A copy of the invoice shall be mailed to the persons charged with the violation by certified mail, return receipt requested. The owner, or other parties responsible, may, within 10 calendar days of receipt of the invoice, request a hearing before the Building Inspector to challenge the reasonableness of the fees.
C.
In the event no hearing is requested to challenge the reasonableness of the fees, and the full amount due the Village of Massapequa Park specified in Subsection B remains unpaid 20 calendar days following the mailing of the invoice for the cost associated with the abatement, correction or removal, then in that case, the Building Inspector shall cause to be filed in the office of the Village Clerk a sworn statement showing the cost and expense incurred for the work, the date the work was completed and the location of the property by section, lot and block on which said work was done and the name of the reputed owner thereof. The filing of such sworn statement shall constitute a lien and privilege on the property and shall remain in full force and effect for the amount due in principal and interest, plus cost of court, if any, for collection, until final payment has been made. Said costs and expenses shall be a lien on the property and shall be collected in the manner fixed by law for the collection of taxes, and, further, shall be subject to a delinquent penalty at the rate of interest in the event that the same is not paid in full on or before the date the tax bill upon which such charge appears becomes delinquent. Sworn statements filed in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be prima facie evidence that all legal formalities have been complied with and the work has been properly and successfully done and shall be full notice to every person concerned that the amount of the statement, plus interest, constitutes a statement that the same is due and collectible as provided by law.
B.
In the event that the property remains in a blighted condition, the Village shall have the right to seek the remedies set forth in § 254-9. If the blighted conditions have not been abated, corrected or removed to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector, within 20 days of the cease and desist order or decision, as the case may be, as set forth in § 254-9, the Building Inspector shall have the right, in addition to the remedies and penalties set forth in §§ 254-9 and 254-11, to place the blighted property on the "Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park Blighted Property Registry."
C.
Upon the placement of blighted property upon the "Incorporated Village
of Massapequa Park Blighted Property Registry," notice shall be served
upon the owner and other responsible parties, as the case may be,
that the property has been placed upon the registry and that a registration
fee as set forth herein shall be assessed to the property within 15
days of the notice. The parties responsible may request a hearing
before the Building Inspector to challenge the reasonableness of the
registration fee. A registration fee shall be assessed as follows:
$5,000 for each commercial blighted property; $2,500 for each residential
blighted property.
D.
In the event no hearing is requested to challenge the reasonableness
of the registration fee, and the full amount of the registration remains
unpaid 20 calendar days following the mailing of the notice, the Building
Inspector shall cause to be filed in the office of the Village Clerk
a sworn statement showing the amount unpaid. The filing of such sworn
statement shall constitute a lien and privilege on the property and
shall remain in full force and effect for the amount due in principal
and interest, plus cost of court, if any, for collection, until final
payment has been made. Said costs and expenses shall be a lien on
the property and shall be collected in the manner fixed by law for
the collection of taxes, and, further, shall be subject to a delinquent
penalty at the rate of interest in the event that the same is not
paid in full on or before the date the tax bill upon which such charge
appears becomes delinquent. Sworn statements filed in accordance with
the provisions hereof shall be prima facie evidence that all legal
formalities have been complied with and shall be full notice to every
person concerned that the amount of the statement, plus interest,
constitutes a statement that the same is due and collectible as provided
by law.
E.
The Building Inspector may reduce or waive the registration fee,
provided the responsible parties enter into a restoration agreement
and the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)
The existence of a valid certificate of occupancy or application
therefor;
(2)
There are no other outstanding violations; and
(3)
The restoration agreement must contain an acknowledgment from the
parties responsible that the property is blighted and specify a detailed
plan designed to abate, correct or remove all blighted conditions.
F.
A party's failure to adhere to the restoration agreement shall
subject such party to immediate assessment of the registration fee.
Any person or persons, association, firm or corporation who
violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation,
punishable as follows:
A.
For conviction of a first offense, by a fine of not less than $250
and not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment not exceeding five days,
or by both.
B.
For conviction of the second of two offenses, both of which were
committed within a period of five years, by a fine of not less than
$1,000 and not more than $2,500 or by imprisonment not exceeding 10
days, or by both.
C.
For conviction of a third or subsequent offense of a series of offenses,
all of which were committed within a period of five years, by a fine
of not less than $2,500 and not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment
not exceeding 15 days, or by both.
D.
Each week in which the violation continues shall constitute a separate
and additional violation and shall be punishable as such pursuant
to this section.
E.
The Building Inspector is authorized and directed to institute any
and all actions and proceedings necessary to enforce this chapter.
The Village Attorney is also authorized to seek damages and any civil
penalties in any civil action, and such penalties shall be in addition
to and not in lieu of any criminal prosecution or other penalties.
In addition to the remedies set forth in this chapter, the Village
of Massapequa Park reserves the right to pursue any and all remedies
available, including, but not limited to, those set forth in Articles
13 and 19-A of the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law, and
the Building Inspector is hereby authorized to take any and all action
specified thereunder.
Whenever the Building Inspector determines that an emergency exists which requires immediate action to protect the public health, safety and welfare, he may issue an order, in writing, to the owner, agent or occupant reciting the existence of such an emergency and requiring that such action be taken as he deems necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, such order shall be effective immediately. Any party to whom such order is directed shall comply therewith immediately. If such party does not respond within a reasonable time to address the emergency, then the Building Inspector shall have the power to abate, correct or remove the emergency, and any expenses, including any legal expenses, incurred by the Village of Massapequa Park shall be borne by the owner, occupant, or other parties responsible as defined in § 254-4.
The requirements and standards set forth in the Property Maintenance
Code of the State of New York, 2012, and all revisions and amendments
thereto shall be controlling in the Incorporated Village of Massapequa
Park. Where permitted by the Property Maintenance Code of the State
of New York, it is the intent of the Board of Trustees to implement
greater minimum standards within the Village of Massapequa Park.
If any section, paragraph, subsection or provision of this chapter
shall be adjudged invalid or held unconstitutional, the same shall
not affect the validity of this chapter as a whole or any part or
provision thereof other than the part so decided to be invalid or
unconstitutional.
The provisions of this chapter shall take effect immediately.