This chapter provides for the administration and enforcement
of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (the
Uniform Code) and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code
(the Energy Code) in the Village of Owego (Village). This chapter
is adopted pursuant to § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law.
Except as otherwise provided in the Uniform Code, the Energy Code,
or other state law, all buildings, structures, and premises, regardless
of use or occupancy, are subject to the provisions this chapter.
In this chapter:
ASSEMBLY AREA
An area in any building, or in any portion of a building,
that is primarily used or intended to be used for gathering 50 or
more persons for uses, including, but not limited to, amusement, athletic,
entertainment, social, or other recreational functions; patriotic,
political, civic, educational, or religious functions; food or drink
consumption; awaiting transportation; or similar purposes.
BUILDING PERMIT
A building permit, construction permit, demolition permit,
or other permit that authorizes the performance of work. The term
"building permit" shall also include a building permit which is renewed,
amended, or extended pursuant to any provision of this chapter.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
A document issued by the Village stating that work was done
in compliance with approved construction documents and the codes.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
A document issued by the Village certifying that the building
or structure, or portion thereof, complies with the approved construction
documents that have been submitted to, and approved by, the Village,
and indicating that the building or structure, or portion thereof,
is in a condition suitable for occupancy.
CODES
The Uniform Code and Energy Code.
ENERGY CODE
The New York State Energy Conservation Construction Code
adopted pursuant to Article 11 of the Energy Law.
FCNYS
The 2020 Fire Code of New York State as currently incorporated
by reference in 19 NYCRR Part 1225.
FIRE SAFETY AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE INSPECTION
An inspection performed to determine compliance with the
applicable provisions of 19 NYCRR Part 1225 and the publications incorporated
therein by reference and the applicable provisions of 19 NYCRR Part
1226 and the publications incorporated therein by reference.
HAZARDOUS PRODUCTION MATERIALS
A solid, liquid, or gas associated with semiconductor manufacturing
that has a degree-of-hazard rating in health, flammability, or instability
of Class 3 or 4, as ranked by NFPA 704 (Standard Systems for Identification
of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response), and which is
used directly in research, laboratory, or production processes which
have, as their end product, materials that are not hazardous.
MOBILE FOOD PREPARATION VEHICLES
Vehicles that contain cooking equipment that produces smoke
or grease-laden vapors for the purpose of preparing and serving food
to the public. Vehicles intended for private recreation shall not
be considered mobile food preparation vehicles.
OPERATING PERMIT
A permit issued pursuant to §
92-10 of this chapter. The term "operating permit" shall also include an operating permit which is renewed, amended, or extended pursuant to any provision of this chapter.
PERMIT HOLDER
The person to whom a building permit has been issued.
PERSON
An individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
limited partnership, business trust, estate, trust, association, or
any other legal or commercial entity of any kind or description.
PMCNYS
The 2020 Property Maintenance Code of New York State as currently
incorporated by reference in 19 NYCRR Part 1226.
RCNYS
The 2020 Residential Code of New York State as currently
incorporated by reference in 19 NYCRR Part 1220.
REPAIR
The reconstruction, replacement, or renewal of any part of
an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance or to correct
damage.
SUGARHOUSE
A building used, in whole or in part, for the collection,
storage, or processing of maple sap into maple syrup and/or maple
sugar.
UNIFORM CODE
The New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code,
Subchapter A of Chapter XXXIII of Title 19 of the NYCRR, adopted pursuant
to Article 18 of the Executive Law.
The Chief of any fire department providing firefighting services
for a property within this Village shall promptly notify the Code
Enforcement Officer of any fire or explosion involving any structural
damage, fuel-burning appliance, chimney, or gas vent.
Unsafe buildings, structures, and equipment and conditions of
imminent danger in this Village shall be identified and addressed
in accordance with the following procedures.
A. The Code Enforcement Officer shall report recommendations for repair
or demolition of the structure in a written report to the Village
Board.
B. The Village Board shall consider the report, and, if it decides to
proceed, schedule a public hearing. Notice of the public hearing shall
be published and provided to the property owner by personal service
pursuant to the New York Civil Practice Law and Rules at least 10
days before the date of the hearing.
C. The Village Board may contract with an engineer or architect to inspect
the structure and make recommendations to the Village Board.
D. If, after the public hearing, the Village Board determines that the
structure can safely be repaired, it may order the property owner
to repair the structure within the time frame set forth in the order.
If the Village Board determines that the structure cannot safely be
repaired, and should be demolished and removed, the Village Board
may order such demolition and removal within the time frame set forth
in the order.
E. Subject to the provisions of Subsection
F below, if the property owner fails to repair or demolish and remove the structure within the time period set forth in the Village Board's order, the Village Board may issue a directive that the Village cause the structure to be repaired or demolished and removed and bill the property owner for the reasonable direct cost of such repair or demolition and removal, plus legal costs and administrative costs of the Village for administering, supervising and handling such work in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
F. Prior to issuing a directive that the Village cause the structure
to be repaired or demolished and removed, the Village shall apply
to the Supreme Court of Tioga County for an order pursuant to this
chapter, 1) declaring that the structure is in need of repair or demolition
and removal; 2) declaring that the Village may repair or demolish
and remove the structure; 3) determining the cost of such repair or
demolition and removal that will be billed to the property owner pursuant
to this chapter; and 4) granting a judgment against the property owner
in the amount to be billed to the property owner. If the property
owner refuses to grant the Village and its representatives access
to the structure and the Village is unable to obtain access pursuant
to other provisions of law, the Village may seek an order pursuant
to this chapter directing the property owner to give the Village and
its representatives access to the structure for purposes of determining
whether the structure can safely be repaired or should be demolished
and removed.
G. If the sum stated in the bill is not paid within 30 days after mailing
thereof to the property owner, the Village may file a certificate
with the Tioga County Department of Assessment stating the cost of
repair or demolition and removal and administrative costs to the Village,
as detailed in the bill, together with a statement identifying the
property and property owner. The Tioga County Department of Assessment
shall in the preparation of the next assessment roll assess such unpaid
costs upon such property. Such amount shall be included as a special
ad valorem levy (administered as a move tax) against such property,
shall constitute a lien, and shall be collected and enforced in the
same manner, by the same proceedings, at the same time, and under
the same penalties as are provided by law for collection and enforcement
of real property taxes in the Village of Owego. The assessment of
such costs shall be effective even if the property would otherwise
be exempt from real estate taxation.
A fee schedule shall be established by resolution of the Village
Board of this Village. Such fee schedule may thereafter be amended
from time to time by like resolution. The fees set forth in, or determined
in accordance with, such fee schedule or amended fee schedule shall
be charged and collected for the submission of applications, the issuance
of building permits, amended building permits, renewed building permits,
certificates of occupancy, certificates of compliance, temporary certificates,
operating permits, fire safety and property maintenance inspections,
and other actions of the Code Enforcement Officer described in or
contemplated by this chapter.
The Village Board of this Village may, by resolution, authorize
the Mayor of this Village to enter into an agreement, in the name
of this Village, with other governments to carry out the terms of
this chapter, provided that such agreement does not violate any provision
of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, Part 1203 of Title 19 of the
NYCRR, or any other applicable law.