All buildings or structures which are structurally unsafe, unsanitary
or are not provided with adequate egress or which constitute a fire
hazard or are otherwise dangerous to human life or which, in relation
to their existing condition or use, constitute a hazard to safety
or health by reason of their incomplete construction, inadequate repair
or maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, unrestricted access or
abandonment are, severally, for the purpose of this article, unsafe
buildings. All such unsafe buildings are hereby declared to be illegal
and shall be abated by repair and rehabilitation, including such measures
as may reasonably be necessary to prevent unauthorized access thereto
by children and other persons, or by demolition in accordance with
the procedure of this article.
A.
Operating permits required. Operating permits shall be required for
conducting any process or activity or for operating any type of building,
structure, or facility listed below:
(1)
Manufacturing, storing, or handling hazardous materials in quantities
exceeding those listed in the applicable Maximum Allowable Quantity
tables found in Chapter 50 of the FCNYS;
(2)
Buildings, structures, facilities, processes, and/or activities that
are within the scope and/or permit requirements of the chapter or
section title of the FCNYS as follows:
(a)
Chapter 22, "Combustible Dust-Producing Operations." Facilities where the operation produces combustible dust;
(c)
Chapter 25, "Fruit and Crop Ripening." Operating a fruit- or crop-ripening facility or conducting a fruit-ripening process using ethylene gas;
(d)
Chapter 26, "Fumigation and Insecticidal Fogging." Conducting fumigation or insecticidal fogging operations in buildings, structures, and spaces, except for fumigation or insecticidal fogging performed by the occupant of a detached one-family dwelling;
(e)
Chapter 31, "Tents, Temporary Special Event Structures, and
Other Membrane Structures." Operating an air-supported temporary membrane
structure, a temporary special event structure, or a tent where approval
is required pursuant to Chapter 31 of the FCNYS;
(f)
Chapter 32, "High-Piled Combustible Storage." High-piled combustible storage facilities with more than 500 square feet (including aisles) of high-piled storage;
(g)
Chapter 34, "Tire Rebuilding and Tire Storage." Operating a
facility that stores in excess of 2,500 cubic feet of scrap tires
or tire by-products or operating a tire rebuilding plant;
(h)
Chapter 35, "Welding and Other Hot Work." Performing public exhibitions and demonstrations where hot work is conducted, use of hot work, welding, or cutting equipment, inside or on a structure, except an operating permit is not required where work is conducted under the authorization of a building permit or where performed by the occupant of a detached one- or two-family dwelling;
(i)
Chapter 40, "Sugarhouse Alternative Activity Provisions." Conducting
an alternative activity at a sugarhouse;
(j)
Chapter 56, "Explosives and Fireworks." Possessing, manufacturing, storing, handling, selling, or using explosives, fireworks, or other pyrotechnic special effects materials, except the outdoor use of sparkling devices as defined by Penal Law § 270;
(k)
Section 307, "Open Burning, Recreational Fires and Portable
Outdoor Fireplaces." Conducting open burning, not including recreational
fires and portable outdoor fireplaces;
(l)
Section 308, "Open Flames." Removing paint with a torch, or
using open flames, fire, and burning in connection with assembly areas
or educational occupancies; and
(m)
Section 319, "Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles." Operating a
mobile food preparation vehicle in accordance with the permitting
requirements which are established by local law, as now in effect
or as hereafter amended from time to time.
(3)
Energy storage systems, where the system exceeds the values shown
in Table 1206.1 of the FCNYS or exceeds the permitted aggregate ratings
in Section R327.5 of the RCNYS;
(4)
Buildings containing one or more assembly areas;
(5)
Outdoor events where the planned attendance exceeds 1,000 persons;
(6)
Facilities that store, handle or use hazardous production materials;
(8)
Buildings whose use or occupancy classification may pose a substantial
potential hazard to public safety, as determined by resolution adopted
by Town Board of this Town; and
(9)
Other processes or activities or for operating any type of building,
structure, or facility as determined by resolution adopted by the
Town Board of this Town.
B.
Applications for operating permits. An application for an operating
permit shall be in writing on a form provided by or otherwise acceptable
to the Code Enforcement Officer. Such application shall include such
information as the Code Enforcement Officer deems sufficient to permit
a determination by the Code Enforcement Officer that quantities, materials,
and activities conform to the requirements of the Uniform Code. If
the Code Enforcement Officer determines that tests or reports are
necessary to verify conformance, such tests or reports shall be performed
or provided by such person or persons as may be designated by or otherwise
acceptable to the Code Enforcement Officer, at the expense of the
applicant.
C.
Inspections. The Code Enforcement Officer or an inspector authorized
by the Code Enforcement Officer shall inspect the subject premises
prior to the issuance of an operating permit. Such inspections shall
be performed either in person or remotely. Remote inspections in lieu
of in-person inspections may be performed when, at the discretion
of the Code Enforcement Officer or an inspector authorized by the
Code Enforcement Officer, the remote inspection can be performed to
the same level and quality as an in-person inspection and the remote
inspection shows to the satisfaction of the Code Enforcement Officer
or inspector authorized by the Code Enforcement Officer that the premises
conform with the applicable requirements of the Uniform Code and the
code enforcement program. Should a remote inspection not afford the
Town sufficient information to make a determination, an in-person
inspection shall be performed. After inspection, the premises shall
be noted as satisfactory and the operating permit shall be issued,
or the operating permit holder shall be notified as to the manner
in which the premises fail to comply with either or both of the Uniform
Code and the code enforcement program, including a citation to the
specific provision or provisions that have not been met.
D.
Multiple activities. In any circumstance in which more than one activity listed in Subsection A of this section is to be conducted at a location, the Code Enforcement Officer may require a separate operating permit for each such activity, or the Code Enforcement Officer may, in their discretion, issue a single operating permit to apply to all such activities.
E.
Duration of operating permits. Operating permits shall be issued
for a specified period of time consistent with local conditions, but
in no event to exceed as follows:
(1)
One hundred eighty days for tents, special event structures, and
other membrane structures;
(2)
Sixty days for alternative activities at a sugarhouse;
(3)
Three years for the activities, structures, and operations determined per Subsection A(9) of this section; and
(4)
One year for all other activities, structures, and operations identified in Subsection A of this section.
(5)
The effective period of each operating permit shall be specified
in the operating permit. An operating permit may be reissued or renewed
upon application to the Code Enforcement Officer, payment of the applicable
fee, and approval of such application by the Code Enforcement Officer.
F.
Revocation or suspension of operating permits. If the Code Enforcement
Officer determines that any activity or building for which an operating
permit was issued does not comply with any applicable provision of
the Uniform Code, such operating permit shall be revoked or suspended.
A.
CONDITION ASSESSMENT
DETERIORATION
PARKING GARAGE
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
RESPONSIBLE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
UNSAFE CONDITION
UNSAFE STRUCTURE
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
An on-site inspection and evaluation of a parking garage
for evidence of deterioration of any structural element or building
component of such parking garage, evidence of the existence of any
unsafe condition in such parking garage, and evidence indicating that
such parking garage is an unsafe structure.
The weakening, disintegration, corrosion, rust, or decay
of any structural element or building component, or any other loss
of effectiveness of a structural element or building component.
Any building or structure, or part thereof, in which all
or any part of any structural level or levels is used for parking
or storage of motor vehicles, excluding:
An individual who is licensed or otherwise authorized under
Article 145 of the Education Law to practice the profession of engineering
in the State of New York and who has at least three years of experience
performing structural evaluations.
The professional engineer who performs a condition assessment,
or under whose supervision a condition assessment is performed, and
who seals and signs the condition assessment report. The use of the
term "responsible professional engineer" shall not be construed as
limiting the professional responsibility or liability of any professional
engineer, or of any other licensed professional, who participates
in the preparation of a condition assessment without being the responsible
professional engineer for such condition assessment.
Includes the conditions identified as "unsafe" in Sections
304.1.1, 305.1.1, and 306.1.1 of the PMCNYS.
A structure that is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, or
structurally unsafe, or is of such faulty construction or unstable
foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible.
B.
Condition assessments: general requirements. The owner operator of each parking garage shall cause such parking garage to undergo an initial condition assessment as described in Subsection C of this section, periodic condition assessments as described in Subsection D of this section, and such additional condition assessments as may be required under Subsection E of this section. Each condition assessment shall be conducted by or under the direct supervision of a professional engineer. A written report of each condition assessment shall be prepared, and provided to the Town, in accordance with the requirements of Subsection F of this section. Before performing a condition assessment (other than the initial condition assessment) of a parking garage, the responsible professional engineer for such condition assessment shall review all available previous condition assessment reports for such parking garage.
C.
Initial condition assessment. Each parking garage shall undergo an
initial condition assessment as follows:
(1)
Parking garages constructed on or after August 29, 2018, shall undergo
an initial condition assessment following construction and prior to
a certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance being issued
for the structure.
(2)
Parking garages constructed prior to August 29, 2018, shall undergo
an initial condition assessment as follows:
(a)
If originally constructed prior to January 1, 1984, then prior
to October 1, 2019;
(b)
If originally constructed between January 1, 1984, and December
31, 2002, then prior to October 1, 2020; and
(c)
If originally constructed between January 1, 2003, and August
28, 2018, then prior to October 1, 2021.
(3)
Any parking garage constructed prior to the effective date of the
local law enacting this provision that has not undergone an initial
condition assessment prior to that effective date shall undergo an
initial condition assessment prior to June 30, 2023.
D.
Periodic condition assessments. Following the initial condition assessment
of a parking garage, such parking garage shall undergo periodic condition
assessments at intervals not to exceed three years.
E.
Additional condition assessments.
(1)
If the latest condition assessment report for a parking garage includes a recommendation by the responsible professional engineer that an additional condition assessment of such parking garage, or any portion of such parking garage, be performed before the date by which the next periodic condition assessment would be required under Subsection D of this section, the owner or operator of such parking garage shall cause such parking garage (or, if applicable, the portion of such parking garage identified by the responsible professional engineer) to undergo an additional condition assessment no later than the date recommended in such condition assessment report.
(2)
If the Town becomes aware of any new or increased deterioration which, in the judgment of the Town, indicates that an additional condition assessment of the entire parking garage, or of the portion of the parking garage affected by such new or increased deterioration, should be performed before the date by which the next periodic condition assessment would be required under Subsection D of this section, the owner or operator of such parking garage shall cause such parking garage (or, if applicable, the portion of the parking garage affected by such new or increased deterioration) to undergo an additional condition assessment no later than the date determined by the Town to be appropriate.
F.
Condition assessment reports. The responsible professional engineer
shall prepare, or directly supervise the preparation of, a written
report of each condition assessment, and shall submit such condition
assessment report to the Town within 60 days. Such condition assessment
report shall be sealed and signed by the responsible professional
engineer, and shall include:
(1)
An evaluation and description of the extent of deterioration and
conditions that cause deterioration that could result in an unsafe
condition or unsafe structure;
(2)
An evaluation and description of the extent of deterioration and
conditions that cause deterioration that, in the opinion of the responsible
professional engineer, should be remedied immediately to prevent an
unsafe condition or unsafe structure;
(3)
An evaluation and description of the unsafe conditions;
(4)
An evaluation and description of the problems associated with the
deterioration, conditions that cause deterioration, and unsafe conditions;
(5)
An evaluation and description of the corrective options available,
including the recommended time frame for remedying the deterioration,
conditions that cause deterioration, and unsafe conditions;
(6)
An evaluation and description of the risks associated with not addressing
the deterioration, conditions that cause deterioration, and unsafe
conditions;
(7)
The responsible professional engineer's recommendation regarding
preventative maintenance;
(8)
Except in the case of the report of the initial condition assessment,
the responsible professional engineer's attestation that he or
she reviewed all previously prepared condition assessment reports
available for such parking garage, and considered the information
in the previously prepared reports while performing the current condition
assessment and while preparing the current report; and
(9)
The responsible professional engineer's recommendation regarding
the time within which the next condition assessment of the parking
garage or portion thereof should be performed. In making the recommendation
regarding the time within which the next condition assessment of the
parking garage or portion thereof should be performed, the responsible
professional engineer shall consider the parking garage's age,
maintenance history, structural condition, construction materials,
frequency and intensity of use, location, exposure to the elements,
and any other factors deemed relevant by the responsible professional
engineer in their professional judgment.
G.
Review condition assessment reports. The Town shall take such enforcement action or actions in response to the information in such condition assessment report as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the public from the hazards that may result from the conditions described in such report. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the Town shall, by order to remedy or such other means of enforcement as the Town may deem appropriate, require the owner or operator of the parking garage to repair or otherwise remedy all deterioration, all conditions that cause deterioration, and all unsafe conditions identified in such condition assessment report pursuant to Subsection F(2) and (3). All repairs and remedies shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Uniform Code. This section shall not limit or impair the right of the Town to take any other enforcement action, including but not limited to suspension or revocation of a parking garage's operating permit, as may be necessary or appropriate in response to the information in a condition assessment report.
H.
The Town shall retain all condition assessment reports for the life
of the parking garage. Upon request by a professional engineer who
has been engaged to perform a condition assessment of a parking garage,
and who provides the Town with a written statement attesting to the
fact that he or she has been so engaged, the Town shall make the previously
prepared condition assessment reports for such parking garage (or
copies of such reports) available to such professional engineer. The
Town shall be permitted to require the owner or operator of the subject
parking garage to pay all costs and expenses associated with making
such previously prepared condition assessment reports (or copies thereof)
available to the professional engineer.
I.
This section shall not limit or impair the right or the obligation
of the Town:
(1)
To perform such construction inspections as are required by § 80-4 (Construction inspections) of this chapter;
(2)
To perform such periodic firesafety and property maintenance inspections as are required by § 80-18 (Firesafety and property maintenance inspections) of this chapter; and/or
(3)
To take such enforcement action or actions as may be necessary or
appropriate to respond to any condition that comes to the attention
of the Town by means of its own inspections or observations, by means
of a complaint, or by any other means other than a condition assessment
or a report of a condition assessment.
Unsafe buildings, structures, and equipment and conditions of
imminent danger in this Town shall be identified and addressed in
accordance with the following procedures:
A.
Procedures for complaints.
(1)
Complaints alleging a violation shall be submitted to the Code Enforcement
Officer, in writing, on a form provided by said Code Enforcement Officer,
and, in order to constitute a bona fide complaint mandating review,
shall include the following information:
(2)
Complaints shall be reviewed and investigated by the Code Enforcement
Officer or his duly authorized representative for a determination
of the validity of the complaint. Such Code Enforcement Officer or
duly authorized representative shall thereafter indicate on the aforementioned
complaint form the corrective action required.
(3)
The Code Enforcement Officer shall make a written record of such
examinations, inspections and operating permits and of the fees charged
and collected, if any shall be established and maintained.
(4)
The Code Enforcement Officer shall examine or cause to be examined
every building and/or building equipment reported as unsafe or damaged.
(5)
Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer shall find any building, building equipment or structure or portion of any such building, building equipment or structure to be unsafe, as defined in this article, said officer shall, in the manner specified in § 80-26, serve written notice on the owner of said building or on one of the owner's executors, legal representatives, agents or lessees or other person having a vested or contingent interest in the same, which said notice shall contain:
(a)
A description of the premises;
(b)
A statement of the particulars in which said building is unsafe;
(c)
An order requiring the same to be made safe and secure by repair
or otherwise or to be demolished and removed within a specified period
of time, and including a date within which said work shall be commenced;
(d)
Notice of the time and place for a hearing on the matter before
the Town Board; and
(e)
A statement that, in the event that said building is determined
by the Town Board to be unsafe, said building shall be made safe and
secure by such repairs or other measures which may reasonably be necessary
or shall be demolished and removed by the Town of Onondaga, and all
costs and expenses incurred by the Town shall be charged against the
owner of said building or assessed against the land on which said
building is located.
(6)
The aforementioned notice shall be served in the manner provided in § 80-26, and a copy of said notice shall be filed in the Onondaga County Clerk's office in accordance with the applicable provisions of law. In the event that said notice is served by registered mail, a copy of the same shall also be posted upon a conspicuous portion of the building.
B.
Immediate vacation; posting of notice. If the Code Enforcement Officer
finds that there is actual and immediate danger of failure or collapse
so as to endanger life, such notice shall also require the building,
structure or portion thereof to be vacated forthwith and not reoccupied
until the specified repairs and improvements are completed, inspected
and approved by the Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement
Officer shall cause to be posted at each entrance to such building
a notice: "This building is unsafe, and its use or occupancy has been
prohibited by the Building Department." Such notice shall remain posted
until the required repairs are made or demolition is completed. It
shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation or its agents
or other servants to remove such notice without permission of the
Code Enforcement Officer or for any person to enter the building except
for the purpose of making the repairs or of demolishing the same.
C.
Hearing; performance of work by Town. In the event that the owner of the unsafe building or, as the case may be, the owner's executor, legal representative, agent or lessee or other person having a vested or contingent interest in the same fails, neglects or refuses to comply with the written notice, the Town Board shall conduct the hearing at the time and place specified in said notice. At said hearing, the Town Board shall receive testimony and other such evidence as may be presented to it on the issue of whether the building in question is unsafe as defined in § 80-8 of this article. The owner or other person having interest in the building shall be given full opportunity to be heard at said hearing. If, after hearing the evidence, the Town Board determines that said building is unsafe, it may direct the Code Enforcement Officer to cause said building to be made safe and secure by such repairs or other measures which may reasonably be necessary or to be demolished and removed and the land upon which it is located cleared of debris and all excavations filled and graded.
D.
Emergencies. In cases of emergency which, in the opinion of the Code
Enforcement Officer, involve imminent danger to human life or health,
he shall promptly cause such building, structure or portion thereof
to be made safe or removed. For this purpose, he may at once enter
such structure or land on which it stands or abutting land or structure,
with such assistance and at such cost as may be necessary. He may
vacate adjacent structures and protect the public by appropriate barricades
or such other means as may be necessary and, for this purpose, may
close a public or private way.
E.
Costs and expenses. All costs and expenses incurred by the Town under § 80-11C and D of this article shall be initially paid out of Town funds and shall be charged to and reimbursed by the owner of the premises involved and collected in the manner provided by law or shall be assessed against the land on which said building is or was located. The remedies set forth in this article, including the collection of costs and expenses as provided for in this section, shall be in addition to the remedies and penalties set forth in § 80-26 of this chapter.
