[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cove Neck 9-26-2019 by L.L. No. 3-2019. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Board of Trustees has determined that in the Village of Cove Neck serious conditions could arise from the rental of a dwelling or a use of a dwelling by a renter that violates the Village Zoning Code.[1]The Board finds that if a dwelling is allowed to be rented, safeguards must be adopted to protect the safety and heath of the renter, and to protect the Village community and those residents of adjacent properties. Those safeguards will also further discourage deterioration of neighborhoods, proliferation of zoning violations, excessive vehicle traffic, illegal parking and the overburdening of municipal services. The Board further finds that current code provisions are inadequate to address these concerns and that the public health, safety, welfare and good order and governance of the Village will be enhanced by enactment of the below permit procedure and associated regulations and requirements set forth in this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 175, Zoning.
For purposes of this chapter, "dwelling" shall be any detached building designed, occupied or used exclusively as residential living quarters which are arranged or intended to be occupied for habitable purposes, and ''rental dwelling" shall be any dwelling for which a rental permit has been issued.
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person who owns a dwelling in the Village to let, lease, rent or suffer, permit, or allow the letting, leasing, or renting of the occupancy or use of a dwelling, regardless of the duration of the rental, without having first obtaining a permit from the Village as provided below ("rental permit"). Rentals for a period of less than 60 consecutive calendar days are strictly prohibited, unless approved by the Board of Trustees. "Letting" shall include permitting or allowing occupancy by a guest or part-time employee (employed for less than 20 hours per week) for more than a sixty-day period.
Application for a rental permit and its renewal shall be made, in writing, to the Village on a form provided.
A. 
The name, address and telephone number of the owner of the dwelling intended for rental occupancy.
B. 
The street address and Tax Map description (section, block and lot or lots) of the premises intended for rental occupancy.
C. 
A description of the dwelling intended to be established, used or occupied for rental occupancy and the number of persons intended to be accommodated in the dwelling unit (''rental unit"). If requested by the Village, a diagram or schematic of the rental unit.
D. 
The name, address and telephone number of the person, if different than the owner, responsible to manage, oversee, or operate the intended rental unit.
E. 
A property survey of the premises showing all buildings, structures, walks, drives and other physical features of the premises and the number, location and access of existing and proposed on-site vehicle parking facilities.
F. 
Certification from the Building Department that the use of the rental unit for rental purposes as described in the application is permitted in the zoning district where the property is located and for the specific dwelling. The Building Department shall also certify that the rental unit is in full compliance with NYS Building Code requirements for occupancy.
G. 
A certificate of liability and property insurance with the Village listed as an additional insured, with policy limits as the Village shall require, along with an indemnification agreement holding the Village harmless from any and all claims pertaining to the issuance of the rental permit and its subsequent occupancy.
H. 
The application shall be signed and verified under oath by the owner of the premises that all statements are true and accurate.
A. 
Permit application fee. A nonrefundable permit application fee, per dwelling unit, in an amount as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees, shall be paid upon filing an application for a permit.
B. 
Permit renewal fee. A nonrefundable permit renewal fee, per dwelling unit, in an amount as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees, shall be paid upon filing an application for renewal.
C. 
Permit fees shall be tripled for any application where it is found or determined by the Village that a rental had occurred without a current and valid rental permit
The Village shall review each application for completeness and accuracy and shall make an on-site inspection of the proposed rental unit. If satisfied that the proposed rental dwelling, as well as the premises in which the same are located, comply fully with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of NYS, Nassau County and the Village zoning , and that such rental unit would not create an unsafe or dangerous condition, or create a nuisance to adjoining or nearby property, the Village Clerk shall issue the permit applied for.
All permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall be valid for a period of two years from date of issuance and may be renewed for an additional one-year period.
The Building Inspector is authorized, from time to time, to conduct inspections to determine the condition of a rental dwelling and compliance with the rental permit in order to safeguard the health, safety, morals and welfare of the public.
A. 
The Village may revoke a rental permit where it appears that the permit holder has violated the terms of the permit or has refused permission to the Building Inspector, after written request, to make an inspection at reasonable times, or in an emergency at any time.
B. 
An appeal from such revocation may be taken by the permit holder to the Board of Trustees, by written request, made within 30 days from the date of such revocation. The Board of Trustees shall hold a public hearing on such appeal within 30 days after receipt of written notice of such appeal and after such hearing may make written findings, conclusions and decision either sustaining such permit revocation or reinstating such permit within 30 days after close of such public hearing.
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter and an offense within the meaning of the Penal Law of the State of New York for any person to allow, cause, permit, take part in or assist the following:
A. 
List, solicit, advertise or offer, exhibit or show to any person a rental dwelling located within the Village for the purpose of bringing about the rental thereof where no currently effective rental permit has been issued.
B. 
Enter into a lease or occupancy agreement, accept a deposit of rent or security, or a commission in connection with the rental of a rental dwelling within the Village where there is no valid and current rental permit or for a rental period of less than 30 consecutive calendar days, unless such rental period is approved by the Board of Trustees.
C. 
Publish a written listing, solicitation, advertisement or offer to rent or lease a rental dwelling unit, unless that written listing, solicitation, advertisement or offer refers by number to a valid and current rental permit. For purposes of this section, "publish" means to promulgate to the general public or to selected segments of the general public, in a newspaper, magazine, flyer, handbill, mailed circular, bulletin board, sign or any electronic media.
A violation of any provisions of this article shall constitute an offense within the meaning of the Penal Law of the State of New York. Each violation of this chapter shall be punishable by:
A. 
A fine of $1,000.
B. 
A fine of $2,000 for a conviction of a second violation of this chapter within a one-year period.
C. 
A fine of $5,000 for a conviction of a third or any additional violations of this chapter within a one-year period.