[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Saugerties 5-19-1986 by L.L. No. 2-1986; amended in its entirety 1-3-2005 by L.L. No.
1-2005. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Property
Maintenance Law of the Village of Saugerties" and may be referred
to in the short form as the "Property Maintenance Law" or in this
chapter as "this chapter."
In order to prevent blight and the spread thereof,
it is hereby declared that all structures or properties, whether occupied
or vacant, shall be maintained in conformity with the standards set
out in this chapter so as to ensure that none of these structures
or properties will adversely affect their neighborhood or the community.
It is found and declared that by reason of lack of maintenance and
progressive deterioration, structures and properties have the further
effect of creating blighting conditions and initiating slums, and
the presence of brush, weeds and noxious or poisonous brush and weeds
creates the blighting effect of causing poor drainage, and that, if
the same are not curtailed and removed, the aforesaid conditions will
grow and spread and will necessitate, in time, the expenditure of
large sums of public funds to correct and eliminate the same. By reason
of timely regulations, as herein contained, the growth of slums and
blight may be prevented and the neighborhood and property values thereby
maintained, the desirability and amenities of residential and nonresidential
uses and neighborhoods enhanced and the public health, safety and
welfare protected and fostered.
Every residential and nonresidential structure
and the premises on which they are situated in the Village used or
intended to be used for dwelling, commercial, business or industrial
occupancy shall comply with the provisions of this chapter, whether
or not such structure shall have been constructed, altered or repaired
before or after the enactment of this chapter and irrespective of
any permits or licenses which shall have been issued for the use or
occupancy of the structure or for the installation or repair of equipment
or facilities prior to the effective date of this chapter.
When this chapter is in conflict with any other
local law, ordinance, statute, rule, regulation or any other code
or ordinance adopted by the Village of Saugerties, the most restrictive
law shall prevail.
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to abolish
or impair existing remedies of the municipality or its officers or
agencies relating to the removal or demolition of any buildings or
structures which are deemed to be dangerous, unsafe or unsanitary.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following
terms shall, for the purpose of this chapter, be defined as follows:
The condition of a structure or part thereof characterized
by holes, breaks, rot, crumbling, cracking, peeling, rusting or other
evidence of physical decay or neglect, lack of maintenance or excessive
use.
Those portions of a building or structure which are exposed
to public view or are visible from adjoining or adjacent properties,
including all outside surfaces and appurtenances thereto, and the
open space on the premises outside any building or structure erected
thereon.
Any thing or any act which increases or may cause any increase
of the hazard or menace of fire to a greater degree than that customarily
recognized as normal by persons in the public service of preventing,
suppressing or extinguishing fire or which may obstruct, delay or
hinder or may become the cause of an obstruction, delay, hazard or
hindrance to the prevention, suppression or extinguishment of fire.
Animal and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, preparation,
cooking and consumption of food.
Any public or private condition that would constitute a nuisance
according to the statutes, laws and regulations of the State of New
York, any of its agencies or this chapter; any physical condition
existing in or on the exterior of any premises which is potentially
dangerous, detrimental or hazardous to the health or safety of persons
on, near or passing in proximity to the premises where said condition
exists.
Any occupant, owner, agent, tenant, lessee, caretaker or
other person or corporation in charge of, residing, living or sleeping
in or on the premises of or having actual possession or use of a business,
dwelling unit or rooming unit or other premises affected by this chapter.
Any person, persons or entity not the owner, who has charge,
care or control of a structure or a part thereof, with or without
the knowledge, consent or authority of the owner.
Any person, persons or entity who shall have legal or equitable
title in any form whatsoever to any premises or part thereof, with
or without accompanying actual possession thereof, or who shall have
charge, care or control of any lot, premises, building, structure
or part thereof, as owner or agent of the owner, or as fiduciary,
trustee, receiver, guardian, lessee or mortgagee in possession, regardless
of how such possession was obtained. Any person, group of persons
or entity who is a lessee, sublessee or assignee of a lessee of any
part or all of any building, structure or land shall be deemed to
be a co-owner with the lessor for the purposes of this section and
shall have responsibility over that portion of the premises so sublet,
leased or assigned.
A lot, plot or parcel of land, including the buildings, structures
and improvements thereon.
All combustible and noncombustible waste materials other
than garbage; and the term shall include paper, rags, cartons, boxes,
wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, tree branches, yard trimmings, tin
cans, metals, mineral matter, glass, crockery and the residue from
burning wood, coal, coke or other combustible material and solid commercial
and industrial waste. No chemicals such as those used in swimming
pools, oil, gasoline or any other chemical which could cause a fire,
explosion or obnoxious gas shall be considered rubbish.
A.
Any duly appointed law enforcement officer of the
Village of Saugerties, including the Code Enforcement Officer and
Building Inspector, shall be charged with the duty of administering
and enforcing this chapter.
B.
It shall be the duty of any duly appointed law enforcement
officer of the Village of Saugerties, including the Code Enforcement
Officer and Building Inspector, to issue a notice of violation or
to order in writing the correction of all conditions found to exist
in or on any premises which violate the provision of the chapter.
(1)
Upon the determination of any duly appointed law enforcement
officer that a violation of this chapter exists, he shall send written
notice specifying the violations and requiring compliance within five
days thereafter. Such notice shall be served either personally upon
the property owner, or agent thereof, or by posting the violation
notice in a conspicuous place upon the premises affected. If a notice
of violation is served by posting it upon the premises, a copy thereof
shall be mailed to whom it is directed at the last known address of
the property owner, or its agent.
(2)
In the event that the notice specified in Subsection B(1) of this section is not complied with after a period of five days from the date of service, if personally served upon the property owner, or within 10 days after the date of such notice in the event same is served by posting and mailing in accordance with Subsection B(1) of this section, or within 10 days after the date of such notice in the event same is returned to the Village because of inability to make delivery thereof, provided same was properly addressed to the last known address of such owner or agent, then any duly appointed law enforcement officer of the Village of Saugerties, including the Code Enforcement Officer and Building Inspector, may immediately issue an appearance ticket or summons.
C.
Inspections. The enforcement officer is authorized
to enter upon any land at any reasonable time for the purpose of performing
his duty under this chapter.
D.
Emergency conditions. Whenever the enforcement officer finds that an emergency condition in violation of this chapter exists, which condition requires immediate attention in order to protect the public health or safety, he may issue an order by service of notice as set forth in Subsection B(1) above, reciting the existence of such emergency condition and requiring that such action be taken by the violator as soon as is reasonably necessary to meet the emergency. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, such order shall be effective immediately. Any person to whom such an order is directed shall comply therewith immediately, but upon objection in writing to the enforcement officer, any such person shall be afforded a hearing before the Village Board of Trustees as soon as is reasonably possible. After such hearing and decision by the Village Board of Trustees as to the existence or nonexistence of the emergency condition, the Village Board of Trustees may continue such order in effect, or modify or withdraw it, subject to the issuance of a summons for violation thereof if such order is continued.
A.
Owners of premises, including single-family residences,
multifamily dwellings, and commercial premises, shall be responsible
for compliance with this chapter and shall remain responsible therefor,
regardless of the fact that this chapter may place certain responsibility
on occupants and operators and regardless of any agreements between
owners and occupants or operators as to which party shall assume responsibility.
Owners of premises shall be responsible for maintenance of the premises
in a clean, safe and sanitary condition.
B.
Occupants or operators of dwelling units and commercial
premises shall be responsible for compliance with this chapter in
regard to the following:
(1)
Maintenance of that part of the premises which they
occupy and control in a clean, safe and sanitary condition and in
compliance with this chapter.
(2)
Keeping all exits from the dwelling unit and premises
clean and unencumbered.
(3)
Disposal of garbage and refuse into refuse containers
in a clean and sanitary manner. Refuse containers should not be stored
in the front of a residence or commercial establishment. If a practical
difficulty in locating them in the side or rear can be proven to the
satisfaction of the Planning Board, then said containers may be placed
in the front in a manner and location acceptable to the Planning Board.
If containers are to be stored in the front, then the Planning Board
may require enclosure, screening, or both, as may be acceptable to
the Board. Refuse containers placed at the curb for pickup should
be placed at the curb no earlier than the afternoon prior, and refuse
containers should be removed from the curbside within 24 hours. Refuse
containers shall not be placed in a manner which blocks a sidewalk.
[Amended 11-1-2010 by L.L. No. 6-2010]
A.
In the case of single-family residences, multifamily
dwellings and commercial premises, steps, walks, driveways, parking
spaces and similar paved areas shall be maintained so as to afford
safe passage under normal use and weather conditions.
B.
In the case of single-family residences, multifamily
dwellings and commercial premises, all driveways and parking spaces
provided shall be covered with crushed stone, gravel, concrete or
asphalt paving and shall be kept in good repair, and such driveways
and parking spaces shall be regularly cleaned to avoid accumulation
of dirt, paper and other debris. On commercial premises, all parking
areas shall be paved with concrete or asphalt, and all parking spaces
shall be clearly marked with painted white, yellow or blue lines.
C.
The owner shall keep all and every part of the premises
which he/she owns, as well as any public rights-of-way from the owner's
building line to the nearest public street, in a clean, sanitary and
safe condition, broom-swept and free from litter, rubbish, paper,
dirt, garbage and junk and, except for public improvements, in good
repair.
D.
In addition to a property owner keeping every part
of his/her property maintained, the property owner is also required
to maintain his/her lawn, including rear and side yards, and shall
also be responsible to maintain the grass on any public right-of-way
from the owner's building line to the nearest public street. Grass
shall not be permitted to exceed 10 inches.
[Amended 8-16-2010 by L.L. No. 4-2010]
E.
The owner shall keep all and every part of the premises
which he/she owns free from dead or incurably diseased trees and shall
be responsible to take the dead and/or diseased trees down and/or
remove and destroy the diseased portion thereof.
A.
The exterior of all structures shall be kept free
from loose, broken or unsecured objects and materials. Such loose,
broken or unsecured objects or materials, including but not limited
to windows, aerials, shutters, shingles, bricks, railings and gutters,
shall be properly secured or removed from the structure.
B.
All exterior exposed structures not inherently resistant
to deterioration shall be coated, treated or sealed to protect them
from deterioration or weathering. Wood, masonry or other exterior
materials that will naturally resist deterioration do not have to
be treated but must be otherwise maintained in a sound, secure workmanlike
manner. Exterior surfaces that have been painted or otherwise coated
must be maintained in a neat, orderly, serviceable manner.
C.
Floors, corridors, hallways, walls, vestibules, ceilings,
stairs and fixtures of buildings shall be maintained in a clean, safe
and sanitary condition. Every floor, exterior wall, roof, porch or
appurtenance thereto shall be maintained in a manner so as to prevent
the collapse of the same or injury to the occupants of the building
or to the public.
D.
Foundation walls and bearing walls of every building
shall be maintained in good repair and be structurally sound.
E.
Vacated buildings or structures must be kept locked
or secured. Owners of such buildings shall take such steps and perform
such acts as may be required to ensure that the building and its adjoining
yards remain safe and secure and do not present a hazard to adjoining
property or to the public and that such property does not become infested
with vermin or rodents.
F.
Each owner of any building from which garbage, rubbish,
mixed refuse, ashes or other wastes are collected shall provide refuse
containers sufficient in number to hold all collectible wastes which
may accumulate. Containers must be flytight, rodent-tight and watertight
and must be kept covered at all times.
A.
The owner, occupant or operator of any property located
within the Village of Saugerties shall not park, or permit or allow
the exterior parking or storage of, any vehicle within the front,
side or rear yard of such property, unless such vehicle is parked
upon a driveway or other paved or dust-free surface provided for such
purposes. The failure of any owner, occupant or operator to comply
with the provision of this section shall be deemed an offense.
B.
It is the intent of this chapter that a "vehicle,"
as used herein, shall include automobiles, buses, trucks, mobile homes,
motorcycles, motor bicycles, minibicycles, snowmobiles, boats, or
any other contraption originally intended for travel.
C.
A recreational vehicle may be stored on the rear yard
of a lot, provided it is stored and maintained in a neat and orderly
manner.
A.
It shall also be prohibited to store or accumulate
garbage, rubbish, waste material or bulk items in any front yard or
front porch when visible from any public place, street or sidewalk.
Such items include, but are not limited to, filth, dirt, ashes, junk,
garbage, wastewater, raw sewage, sewage, wastewater, dust, rubbish,
sticks, stones, wood, leaves, paper, paper boxes, iron, tin, nails,
bottles, glass of any kind, old cars and car parts, discarded appliances
and discarded furniture.
B.
Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the storage
of such garbage, rubbish, waste material or bulk items in any garage
or accessory structure. Any such garage or accessory structure used
for storage of such garbage, rubbish, waste material or bulk items
shall be secure and provide for resistance to rodent or insect infestation.
Every owner, occupant or operator of property
shall install any mailbox solely in compliance with the rules and
regulations of the United States Postal Service. The mailbox shall
be installed in such a manner which will not interfere with the speedy
and efficient removal of snow and/or ice from the other right-of-way
by the Highway Department. The installation of a mailbox within any
public right-of-way shall be at the sole risk and liability of the
owner, occupant or operator of the abutting real property, and the
Village of Saugerties shall not be liable for any damage to any such
mailbox.
A.
The owner, occupant or operator of any real property,
whether vacant or improved by any buildings, abutting any sidewalk
in the Village of Saugerties shall keep such sidewalk free and clear
of snow and ice at all times.
B.
Within 24 hours after cessation of every fall of snow
or the formation of any ice on the sidewalk abutting the premises,
the owner, occupant or operator shall remove or cause the same to
be removed or cleared entirely from the sidewalk to a minimum width
of 30 inches. If the snow or ice shall be frozen so hard that it cannot
practicably be removed, the owner, occupant or operator shall, within
the time above specified, cause the sidewalk to be covered and strewn
with salt, ashes, sand or other dissolving or disintegrating material
and shall, as soon thereafter as the weather will permit, thoroughly
clean the sidewalk and remove the ice and snow therefrom.
C.
No snow removed from driveways, walks or other areas
shall be deposited upon the public streets or highways so as to interfere
with the use of such streets or highways or with the use of any other
premises.
D.
Where a sidewalk has not been set aside along the margin of a street or highway adjoining that portion of business or commercial premises used for access and parking, including but not limited to individual stores, shopping centers and gasoline service stations, the owner, occupant or operator shall clear a path at least 30 inches in width throughout the length of the premises free from snow and ice for use by pedestrians as a walkway in compliance with the provisions of Subsections A and B of this section.
E.
The owner, occupant or operator of any real property,
whether vacant or improved by any buildings, in front of which or
adjacent to which property there is a fire hydrant, shall cause snow
to be removed for a distance of 30 inches around the hydrant and between
the hydrant and the street and to keep the fire hydrant and access
to the street free from snow throughout the winter.
F.
The owner, occupant or operator of any real property,
whether vacant or improved by any buildings, located at an intersection
of two streets shall clear a path at the intersection at least 30
inches in width through any piles or accumulation of snow or ice on
the sidewalk or street so as to enable pedestrian access from the
sidewalk at the corner to the cleared portion of the roadway.
G.
If snow or ice shall remain on a sidewalk for more
than 24 hours after the cessation of snowfall or the formation of
ice, the Village may provide for the removal thereof at the expense
of the property owner, occupant or operator of the abutting premises
without further notice to the property owner. The charge to be collected
for the removal of snow or ice from a sidewalk, or for clearing the
area around a fire hydrant, or for covering the sidewalk with salt,
ashes, sand, or other dissolving or disintegrating material shall
be at the rate of $50 plus $0.50 per linear foot for the length of
the sidewalk cleared or treated by the Village on such occasion.
H.
Any duly appointed law enforcement officer of the
Village of Saugerties, including the Building Inspector and the Code
Enforcement Officer, is authorized to enforce this section of this
chapter by submitting a written report thereof to the Board of Trustees
within 10 days of said correction or removal of snow or ice. Said
report shall describe the actions taken and shall include a compilation
of all costs and expenses incurred by the Village. At the next regularly
scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board shall confirm
said costs and expenses, together with the administrative fee of $50,
as an assessment against the real property involved, by duly adopted
resolution. The property owner shall be given written notice by any
duly appointed law enforcement officer of the Village of Saugerties
of the actions taken and a compilation of all costs and expenses,
including the administrative fee, at least 10 days before the aforementioned
Board of Trustees meeting, wherein the property owner shall be given
the opportunity to be heard regarding the charge to be imposed and
to assert any objections thereto.
I.
A notice shall be deemed sufficient if delivered to
the owner, occupant or operator in person or by certified mail to
the property postal address and, if different, to the last known address
of the owner appearing on the most recent tax rolls of the Village.
J.
Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Board of
Trustees, the charge shall be billed to the owner of the premises
abutting the sidewalk and mailed to him by the Village Treasurer or
Village Clerk within five business days following the adoption of
the resolution, and if not paid in full to the Village Treasurer or
Village Clerk by the tax collection date next following, a lien upon
the premises abutting the sidewalk shall be collected by the Village
Treasurer as an assessment upon said premises on the next real property
tax statements issued by the Village Treasurer as provided by law.
A copy of said resolution shall be mailed to the address of the resident
involved, as said address appears upon the latest assessment roll
of the Village of Saugerties.
K.
The collection of this charge shall not preclude the
Village from pursuing any other civil or criminal remedies which may
be available to enforce the violation of this chapter.
A.
Upon the failure of an owner, occupant or operator having management or control of any property within the Village to maintain the premises in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, except for those requirements set forth in § 142-14 of this chapter for violations of snow and ice removal, and after five days' notice of said violation(s) is personally served on such owner, tenant or occupant by any duly appointed law enforcement officer of the Village of Saugerties [or within 10 days after the date of such notice in the event same is served by posting and mailing pursuant to the requirements of Subsection B(1) of § 142-7 of this chapter, or in the event said notice is returned to the Village because of inability to make delivery thereof], the Village may perform the same, and the property owner, tenant, occupant or other responsible person shall be liable to the Village for an amount equal to the actual cost of having the work performed, plus an administrative fee of $50 as compensation to the Village for supervising, administering and handling such work.
B.
The Code Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector,
and any other duly appointed law enforcement officer of the Village
of Saugerties is authorized to enforce this section of this chapter
by submitting a written report thereof to the Board of Trustees within
10 days of the correction or removal of any violation(s) of this chapter.
Said report shall describe the actions taken and shall include a compilation
of all costs and expenses incurred by the Village. At the next regularly
scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board shall confirm
said costs and expenses, together with the administrative fee of $50,
as an assessment against the real property involved, by duly adopted
resolution. The property owner shall be given written notice of the
actions taken and a compilation of all costs and expenses, including
the administrative fee, at least 10 days before the aforementioned
Board of Trustees meeting, wherein the property owner shall be given
the opportunity to be heard regarding the charge to be imposed and
to assert any objections thereto.
C.
A notice shall be deemed sufficient if delivered to
the owner, occupant or operator in person or by certified mail to
the property postal address and, if different, to the last known address
of the owner appearing on the most recent tax rolls of the Village.
D.
Upon the adoption of a resolution by the Board of
Trustees, the charge shall be billed to the owner of the premises
abutting the sidewalk and mailed to him by the Village Treasurer or
Village Clerk within five business days following the adoption of
the resolution, and, if not paid in full to the Village Treasurer
or Village Clerk by the tax collection date next following, a lien
upon the premises abutting the sidewalk shall be collected by the
Village Treasurer as an assessment upon said premises on the next
real property tax statements issued by the Village Treasurer as provided
by law. A copy of said resolution shall be mailed to the address of
the resident involved, as said address appears upon the latest assessment
roll of the Village of Saugerties.
E.
The collection of this charge shall not preclude the
Village from pursuing any other civil or criminal remedies which may
be available to enforce the violation of this chapter.
F.
Where violations of this chapter exist and pose an
immediate hazard or danger to the health, safety or welfare of building
occupants or of the public, the enforcement officer may issue an order
citing the violation and directing such action by such municipal agency
as is necessary to immediately remove or abate the hazards or danger
without further notice to the property owner or person in possession
being cited.
Every person convicted of a violation of any
of the provisions of this chapter shall, for the first conviction
thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more
than $500; for a second or subsequent conviction within 12 months
after any previous conviction, such person shall be punished by a
fine of not less than $200 and not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment
for not more than 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Each day of continued violation shall constitute a separate additional
violation.
