[HISTORY: Derived from the Charter and Ordinances, 1974,
of the City of Buffalo as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Derived from Art. III of Ch. LXI of the Charter and Ordinances,
1974]
The following terms and words, when used in this Article, shall
have meaning and effect as follows:
An individual, a partnership, a corporation, a receiver,
an association, an executor, an administrator, a trustee, a guardian
or an agent.
That portion of a street outside of the roadway used or set
aside for the use of pedestrians.
The entire area conveyed, acquired or dedicated to public
use and passage. The word "street" shall include in its meaning the
words "avenue," "alley," "drive," "place" or any other word used to
designate the public thoroughfare as above defined.
The Parking Violations Bureau shall hear and administratively
determine charges of violations of certain provisions of the following
chapters of this Code or of any ordinance later adopted related to
streets, sidewalks and sanitation. This additional jurisdiction is
conferred by Local Law No. 3 of 1987, adopted pursuant to Chapter
856 of the Laws of 1986.[1]
Chapter 72, Ambulances and Ambulance Drivers
|
Chapter 101, Buildings, Cleaning of
|
Chapter 107, Buildings, Moving of
|
Chapter 109, Buildings, Numbering of
|
Chapter 116, Burials
|
Chapter 158, Diseases, Infectious
|
Chapter 203, Fumigation
|
Chapter 242, Housing Standards
|
Chapter 269, Lodging Houses
|
Chapter 289, Newsstands
|
Chapter 293, Noise
|
Chapter 356, Rat Control
|
Chapter 370, Restaurants
|
Chapter 391, Slaughterhouses
|
Chapter 441, Telephone Booths
|
Chapter 467, Trees, Shrubs and Plants
|
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 236, Subdivision 4, of the
Vehicle and Traffic Law.
The personnel of the Parking Violations Bureau shall have and
perform such additional duties as will ensure that violations adjudicated
pursuant to this Article are heard and determined in the same manner
as charges of parking violations and that a person charged with any
such violation is afforded all the rights to a hearing, administrative
adjudication and judicial review which a person charged with a parking
violation has.
The Parking Violations Bureau shall have the following additional
functions, powers and duties:
A.Â
To accept pleas to and to hear and determine charges of violation
of certain ordinances regulating the use of streets and sidewalks.
B.Â
To provide for civil penalties for violations of the streets and
sidewalks ordinances in accordance with a schedule of fines.
C.Â
To adopt rules and regulations, not inconsistent with any applicable
provision of law, to carry out the purposes of the local law adopted
pursuant to Chapter 856 of the Session Laws of the State of New York
of 1986, being an act in relation to the adjudication of violations
relating to streets, sidewalks and sanitation, including but not limited
to rules and regulations prescribing the internal procedures and organization
of the Bureau, the manner and time of entering pleas, the conduct
of hearings and the amount and manner of payment of penalties.
D.Â
To enter judgments and enforce them, without court proceedings, in
the same manner as the enforcement of money judgments in civil acts
in any court of competent jurisdiction or any other place provided
for the entry of civil judgment within the State of New York.
E.Â
To compile and maintain complete and accurate records relating to
all charges and dispositions and to prepare complete and accurate
transcripts of all hearings conducted by the Bureau and to furnish
such transcripts to the person charged at said person's own expense
upon timely request and upon said person's complying with the regulations
of the Bureau.
F.Â
To remit to the City Treasurer, on or before the 15th day of each
month, all monetary penalties or fees received by the Bureau during
the prior calendar month, along with a statement thereof, and at the
same time to file duplicate copies of such statement with the City
Comptroller.
G.Â
To answer, within a reasonable period of time, all relevant and reasonable
inquiries made by a person charged with a street, sidewalk and sanitation
violation or his attorney concerning the notice of violation (summons)
served on that person. The Bureau must also furnish within a reasonable
period of time to the person charged, on his request and upon complying
with the regulations of the Bureau, a copy of the original notice
of violation (summons), including all information contained thereon.
Failure of the Bureau to comply with the provisions of this subsection
within 75 days of such inquiry, forwarded to the Bureau by certified
or registered mail, return receipt requested, will result, upon the
request of the person charged, in an automatic dismissal of all charges
relating to and only to that notice of violation (summons) to which
the inquiry was made.
H.Â
To prepare and to issue a notice of violation in blank to employees
Parking Violations Bureau, whose duties, as prescribed by the Director
of the Parking Violations Bureau, include enforcement of the following
chapters of the Code and to any peace officers authorized by the City
to assist in the enforcement of this Article. The notice of violation
(summons) or duplicate thereof, when filled in and sworn to or affirmed
by such designated officers and served as provided in this Article,
shall constitute notice of the violation charged.
[Amended 6-13-1995, effective 6-26-1995]
Chapter 101, Buildings, Cleaning of
| |
Chapter 107, Buildings, Moving of
| |
Chapter 109, Buildings, Numbering of
| |
Chapter 289, Newsstands
| |
Chapter 467, Trees, Shrubs and Plants
| |
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Ch. 441, Telephone Booths, was amended
11-16-1993, effective 11-29-1993, changing the name to "Telephone
Facilities."
[Amended 5-28-1996, effective 6-7-1996]
A.Â
The notice of violation (summons) shall contain information advising
the person charged of the matter and the time in which he may plead
either guilty or not guilty to the violation alleged in the notice.
Such notice of violation (summons) shall also contain a warning to
advise the person charged that failure to plead in the manner and
time provided shall be deemed an admission of liability and that a
default judgment may be entered thereon. The form and wording of the
notice of violation (summons) shall be prescribed by the Director.
A duplicate of each notice of violation (summons) shall be served
on the person charged in the manner hereinafter provided. The original
or a facsimile thereof shall be filed and retained by the Bureau and
shall be deemed a record kept in the ordinary course of business and
shall be prima facie evidence of the facts contained therein.
B.Â
A notice of violation (summons) may be served personally upon the
owner of the premises adjacent to the street or sidewalk, the occupant
or person in control of the premises adjacent to the street or sidewalk
or any other person who has violated the street, sidewalk and sanitation
ordinances. Any person of suitable age and discretion may accept such
notice of violation (summons) on behalf of the aforesaid owner, occupant
or other person upon properly identifying themselves and providing
the names and addresses of the aforesaid owner, occupant or other
person. In such case, the name and address of the aforesaid owner,
occupant or other person shall be entered on the notice of violation
(summons) along with the other required information. In case of service
of a notice of violation (summons) on a person who is not the owner
of premises adjacent to a street or sidewalk, a duplicate copy of
such notice of violation (summons) shall be forwarded, by first class
mail, to the owner of such premises.
C.Â
A notice of violation (summons) may be served upon the owner of the
premises adjacent to the street or sidewalk by affixing such notice
to the premises in a conspicuous place. Service of such notice of
violation (summons) shall be completed when a duplicate copy of such
notice of violation (summons) is forwarded, by first class mail, to
the owner of such premises.
[Last amended 5-16-2023, effective 5-16-2023]
The schedule of fines and penalties shall be as follows:
Type of Violation
|
Fine
|
Initial Penalty
|
Additional Penalty
|
Maximum Total
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Fine Class A
|
$10.50
|
$10.50
|
$10.50
|
$31.50
|
Fine Class B
|
$30.00
|
$30.00
|
$30.00
|
$90.00
|
Failure to provide name, address, and telephone number, § 341-14
| ||||
Sign permit, § 387-12
| ||||
Signs; erection, repair, alteration or removal businesses, § 387-14
| ||||
Habitable space, Part 1242.1, Physical Standards, State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Nonhabitable space, Part 1242.2, Physical Standards, State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Exits, Part 1242.3, Physical Standards, State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
| ||||
Exterior lighting, Part 1242.4, Physical Standards, State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Exterior protection, Part 1242.5, Physical Standards, State
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Railings and parapet walls, Part 1242.6, Physical Standards,
State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Interior protection, Part 1242.7, Physical Standards, State
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Junk, Part 1242.10, Physical Standards, State Uniform Fire and
Prevention Code
| ||||
Fine Class C
|
$52.50
|
$52.50
|
$52.50
|
$157.50
|
Drinking in an unlicensed public place or vehicle in a public place, § 69-3
| ||||
Building number not displayed or displayed improperly, § 109-6
| ||||
Garbage not properly stored, § 216-8
| ||||
Garbage on street more than 8 hours ahead of collection, § 216-14
| ||||
Leaving City-provided receptacle or tote in the street, curbline or public place after 12 hours after time of weekly public collection, § 216-14
| ||||
Placing more than two pieces of bulk solid waste or trash for a weekly public collection, § 216-15
| ||||
Property within City-provided receptacle or tote with overflowing solid waste or additional bags or containers of solid waste, § 216-15
| ||||
Failure to use City-provided receptacle or tote or improperly identified solid waste collector's receptacle, § 216-15
| ||||
Placing construction/demolition debris or fill in City-provided receptacle or tote for public collection, § 216-15
| ||||
Placing commercial user's solid waste for public collection where user has no contract with the City, § 216-15
| ||||
Use of illegal containers or garbage; garbage not properly enclosed, § 216-15
| ||||
Improper usage of City-provided receptacle or tote, § 216-15
| ||||
No license to solicit, § 316-27
| ||||
Fine Class D
|
$75.00
|
$75.00
|
$75.00
|
$225.00
|
Shuffleboards, § 75-5
| ||||
Coin-controlled devices, § 75-18B
| ||||
Certificate of operations, § 167-15
| ||||
Initial or semi-annual inspection, § 167-15B
| ||||
Upholstered furniture on open porches, § 242-3.1
| ||||
Used car dealers exceeding maximum number of vehicles, § 254-2C
| ||||
Welding and cutting operations, § 263-22
| ||||
Maintenance of open areas, Chapter 3, Section 302.5
| ||||
Storage of junk vehicles, equipment in open areas, Chapter 3.
Section 302.8
| ||||
Infestation and rodent harborage, Chapter 3, Section 306.1
| ||||
Rubbish (refuse)—adequate sanitary facilities, storage,
handling, disposal—proper containers, Chapter 3, Section 307.2
(PM)
| ||||
Parking on unpaved areas in front/side yard, § 307-48
| ||||
Failure to cut overgrown vegetation, § 341-1
| ||||
Domestic animals and pets, cloven-footed or hoofed prohibited, small animals causing nuisance, § 341-10
| ||||
Temporary stand, § 370-2
| ||||
Taxicab and livery, failure to securely affix metal plate, § 437-6B
| ||||
Taxicab and livery, failure to display mileage rates, § 437-6B(4)
| ||||
Taxicab and livery, failure to display taxicab/livery driver's license, § 437-9D
| ||||
Unlicensed tow truck, § 454-2
| ||||
Exhibitor, § 463-7B
| ||||
Vending machines, § 483-2
| ||||
Storage of unlicensed/unregistered motor vehicles, § 511-93
| ||||
Parking area screening, setback, surfacing, lighting and access
requirements, § 511-97
| ||||
Fine Class E
|
$105.00
|
$105.00
|
$105.00
|
$315.00
|
Deposit of electronic waste § 216-4C
| ||||
Placing more than the authorized weight in City-provided receptacle or tote, § 216-15
| ||||
Operating a lodging house with unlicensed agent, § 269-5
| ||||
First excessive noise violation, § 293-7
| ||||
Exterior structure, protective treatment, Chapter 3, Section
304.2
| ||||
Interior structure, interior surfaces, Chapter 3, Section 305.3
| ||||
Garbage and refuse, accumulation, Chapter 3, Section 305.1
| ||||
Establishment employing unregistered bouncer(s), § 372-7B
| ||||
Signs, permit required; exceptions, § 387-8
| ||||
Deposits on streets or public places prohibited, § 413-4
| ||||
Fine Class F
|
$150.00
|
$150.00
|
$150.00
|
$450.00
|
Second excessive noise violations, § 293-7
| ||||
Failure to cut overgrown vegetation, § 341-1
| ||||
Abandoned junk automobile in the City, § 413-4
| ||||
Dancing (hotel/restaurant), § 150-2C
| ||||
Taxicab and livery, driver's license required, § 437-9
| ||||
Unregistered bouncer, § 372-7A
| ||||
Snow plowing which blocks public thoroughfare, § 413-52
| ||||
Telephone facilities, § 441-1
| ||||
Fine Class G
|
$200.00
|
$200.00
|
$200.00
|
$600.00
|
Roller rinks (class 13), § 75-5
| ||||
Music, § 75-13
| ||||
Certificate of inspection, § 75-14B
| ||||
Arcades, § 75-18B(2)
| ||||
Bakers and confectioners, § 88-2
| ||||
Billiards, § 92-1
| ||||
Bowling alley, § 92-1
| ||||
Repair work in excess of $750 without a permit, § 103-2
| ||||
Flammable liquids, license required for storage, sale, handling, use or transport, § 186-1
| ||||
Repair, service, storage garages, license required, § 186-13C
| ||||
Cooked meat, § 193-22
| ||||
Fish, meat, poultry, § 193-22
| ||||
Secondhand dealers, § 254-2A
| ||||
Laundries and clothes cleaners, license required, § 259-2
| ||||
Work commenced without a license or permit, § 263-23
| ||||
Pet shop, § 263-24A
| ||||
Operating a lodging house without a license, § 269-2
| ||||
Third and subsequent excessive noise violations, § 293-7
| ||||
Parking lots, § 307-17
| ||||
Peddler § 316-1
| ||||
Restaurant, § 370-2
| ||||
Taxicabs and liveries, license required on motor vehicles, § 437-4
| ||||
Unauthorized City tower, § 454-13
| ||||
Fine Class H
|
$350.00
|
$350.00
|
$350.00
|
$1,050.00
|
Operation of business, § 194-4E (1-20 license conditions)
| ||||
Signs, use permit required, § 511-100
| ||||
Fine Class I
|
$1,500.00
|
$1,500.00
|
$1,500.00
|
$1,500.00
|
Go-go girls (class 16), § 75-5
| ||||
Tobacco/hookah/vaping, License required § 132-2A(1)
| ||||
Tobacco/hookah/vaping license renewal, § 132-10A
| ||||
Failure to prominently display NYS Office of Cannabis Management
(OCM) license and NYS OCM QR Code Certificate
| ||||
Cannabis unlicensed dispensing, processing, cultivating, selling,
handling, distributing, or gifting in exchange for anything for which
value is received of cannabis or processed cannabis products, without
the required license from NYS Office of Cannabis Management
| ||||
Engaging in an act to defraud the state or its political subdivisions,
or a government instrumentality within the state by false or fraudulent
pretenses
| ||||
Unlicensed vendor collecting sales tax on unlicensed products
| ||||
Fine Class J
|
$500.00
|
$500.00
|
$500.00
|
$1,500.00
|
Dumpsters or similar large waste containers placed without permit, § 413-4
| ||||
Dumpsters or similar large waste containers placed outside restrictions of permit, § 413-4
| ||||
Seizure of dangerous dog after finding of dangerousness pursuant
to Agriculture and Markets Law § 121
| ||||
Operating a food store without a license, § 194-4
| ||||
Class AA
|
$50.00
|
$50.00
|
$50.00
|
$150.00
|
Means of egress, Part 1162, State Uniform Fire Prevention and
Building Code
| ||||
Firesafety safeguards, Part 1191, State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
| ||||
Flame-producing devices, Part 1192
| ||||
Firesafety signs and instructions, Part 1194, State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Firesafety training, Part 1195, State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
| ||||
Permits, § 103-32
| ||||
Standpipe systems, § 103-32
| ||||
Elevator safety, § 103-33
| ||||
Sprinklers in basement, § 103-34
| ||||
Removal or proper storage required, § 103-41
| ||||
Prohibited storage and accumulation, § 103-56
| ||||
Prohibited location of water heaters, § 103-57
| ||||
Class BB
|
$100.00
|
$100.00
|
$100.00
|
$300.00
|
Vacant buildings or structures, Part 1154, State Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Fire Department and emergency service access, Part 1161, State
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Combustible fibers, Part 1172, State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
| ||||
Firesafety equipment, Part 1193, State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
| ||||
Fire department notification, Part 1196, State Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Code Enforcement Official notification, Part 1197, State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Orders to eliminate dangerous conditions, § 103-18
| ||||
Self-service gasoline, § 103-27
| ||||
Height and occupancy limits on frame dwellings, § 103-31
| ||||
Willfully contributing to production of fires, § 103-39
| ||||
Storage of combustible materials, § 103-42
| ||||
Seizure of fireworks, § 103-52
| ||||
Prohibited uses of flammable liquids (sleeping quarters), § 103-55
| ||||
License or permits required for liquefied petroleum gas, § 266-3
| ||||
Smoke detectors, Chapter 395
| ||||
Class CC
|
$150.00
|
$150.00
|
$150.00
|
$450.00
|
Equipment and systems, Part 1163, State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
| ||||
Special property use or conditions, Part 1164, State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Dust, Part 1173, State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building
Code
| ||||
Material for welding and cutting, Part 1178, State Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Fruit-ripening gas, Part 1180, State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
| ||||
Matches, Part 1181, State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building
Code
| ||||
Powder coatings, Part 1182, State Uniform Fire Prevention and
Building Code
| ||||
Solid fuel burning devices, Part 771.4(j)(5), State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Fire bombs, § 103-53
| ||||
Open fires, § 66-19
| ||||
Open burning, § 119-1
| ||||
Flammable liquids, Chapter 186
| ||||
Class DD
|
$250.00
|
$250.00
|
$250.00
|
$750.00
|
Flammable and combustible liquids, Part 1171, State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Dangerous and unsafe buildings, Part 1153, State Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Compressed gases, Part 1175, State Uniform Fire Prevention and
Building Code
| ||||
Fireworks, Part 1177, State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building
Code
| ||||
Fumigants and thermal insecticidal fogging liquids, Part 1179,
State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Magnesium, Part 1183, State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building
Code
| ||||
Organic coatings, Part 1184, State Uniform Fire Prevention and
Building Code
| ||||
Organic peroxides, Part 1185, State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
| ||||
Cryogenic liquids, Part 1186, State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
| ||||
Cellulose nitrate (pyroxlin) plastics, Part 1187, State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Cellulose nitrate motion- picture film, Part 1188, State Uniform
Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Class EE
|
$500.00
|
$500.00
|
$500.00
|
$1,500.00
|
Hazardous materials, Part 1174, State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code
| ||||
Explosives, ammunition and blasting agents, Part 1176, State
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code
| ||||
Contractors, license required, § 144-2A(1)
| ||||
Junkyard, § 254-2A
| ||||
Scrap processors, license required, § 254-6
|
[Derived from Secs. 102 and 103 of Ch. XXV of the Charter
and Ordinances, 1974]
Any person, corporation or firm, who shall violate any of the provisions of the following chapters; who shall omit or refuse to do any act required to be performed by him, her or it, pursuant to the provisions of said chapters or any reasonable rule, regulation or direction of the Health Commissioner made pursuant to the authority of said chapters; who shall obstruct, hinder or prevent any officer or employee of the Health Department, duly authorized, from the discharge of any duty enjoined upon him by any provision of said chapters; or who shall do any of the acts forbidden by any of the provisions of said chapters or by any reasonable rule, regulation or direction of the Health Commissioner made pursuant to the authority of said chapters shall, in addition to any penalty otherwise provided by statute, be liable to a fine or penalty as provided in Chapter 1, Article III, of this Code:
The Health Commissioner shall have full power to enforce and
carry out all ordinances, rules and regulations for the preservation
of the public health; and in case any business or practice is dangerous
or detrimental to the public health, to prohibit the same and to declare
unwholesome grounds, yards, cellars, buildings and other places, stagnant,
mosquito-breeding or unwholesome waters, filth and unwholesome matter
injurious to health to be nuisances. Upon so declaring, the Health
Commissioner shall have power to abate the same as he may deem expedient,
and the expense thereof may be assessed upon the lands and premises
upon or in front of which said nuisance was or existed or upon the
parcels of land and upon the premises benefited by the abatement of
such nuisance as the Council shall direct, but no established business
or rights to property of any person shall be interfered with or prohibited
until the offender or offenders therewith charged shall have been
duly summoned by notice of not less than one day to appear before
said Health Commissioner to show cause why such declaration or order
of prohibition shall not be enforced against the person or persons,
party or parties or premises charged nor until said party or parties
or persons interested in the premises shall have an opportunity to
be heard in person or by counsel.