As required by Part 1203 of Title 19 of the NYCRR, this article
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 Larchmont. This article is adopted pursuant to § 10
of the Municipal Home Rule Law. Except as otherwise provided in the
Uniform Code, the Energy Code, other state law, or other sections
of this article, all buildings, structures, and premises, regardless
of use or occupancy, are subject the provisions of this article.
The fire chief of any fire department providing firefighting
services for a property within this Village of Larchmont or their
designated agent shall promptly notify the Building Inspector of any
fire or explosion involving any structural damage, fuel burning appliance,
chimney or gas vent.
Unsafe buildings, structures, and equipment and conditions of
danger in this Village of Larchmont shall be identified and addressed
in accordance with the following procedures.
A. Right of condemnation. All buildings or structures that are or hereafter
shall become unsafe, unsanitary, or deficient in adequate exit facilities,
or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human
life or the public welfare, or which involve illegal or improper use,
occupancy or maintenance, shall be deemed unsafe buildings or structures.
All unsafe structures shall be taken down and removed or made safe
and secure, as the Enforcement Official may deem necessary and as
provided in this section. A vacant building unguarded or open at door
or window, shall be deemed a fire hazard and unsafe within the meaning
of this code.
B. Examination and record of damaged structure. The Enforcement Official
shall examine every building or structure reported as dangerous, unsafe
structurally or constituting a fire hazard, and shall cause a report
to be filed in a docket of unsafe structures and premises, stating
the use of the structure, and the nature and estimated amount of damages,
if any, caused by collapse or failure.
C. Notice of unsafe structure. If an unsafe condition is found in a
building or structure, the Enforcement Official shall serve on the
owner, agent or person in control of the building or structure a written
notice describing the building or structure deemed unsafe and specifying
the required repairs or improvements to be made to render the building
or structure safe and secure, or requiring the unsafe building or
structure or portion thereof to be demolished within a stipulated
time. Such notice shall require the person thus notified to immediately
declare to the Building Inspector acceptance or rejection of the terms
of the order.
D. Restoration of unsafe structure. A building or structure condemned
by the Enforcement Official may be restored to safe conditions provided
change of use or occupancy is not contemplated nor compelled by reason
of such reconstruction or restoration except that if the damage or
cost of reconstruction of restoration is in excess of 50% of its replacement
value, exclusive of foundations, such structure shall be made to comply
in all respects with the requirements for materials and methods of
construction of structures hereafter erected.
E. Restoration of unsafe structure. A building or structure condemned
by Enforcement Official may be restored to safe conditions provided
change of use or occupancy is not contemplated nor compelled by reason
of such reconstruction or restoration except that if the damage or
cost of reconstruction of restoration is in excess of 50% of its replacement
value, exclusive of foundations, such structure shall be made to comply
in all respects with the requirements for materials and methods of
construction of structures hereafter erected.
F. Disregard of unsafe notice. Upon refusal or neglect of the person
served with an unsafe notice to comply with the requirements of the
order to abate the unsafe condition, the legal counsel of the jurisdiction
shall be advised of all the facts and shall cause to be instituted
the appropriate action to compel compliance.
The Enforcement Official shall review and investigate complaints
which allege or assert the existence of conditions or activities that
fail to comply with the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, this article,
or any other local law, ordinance or regulation adopted for administration
and enforcement of the Uniform Code or the Energy Code. The process
for responding to a complaint shall include such of the following
steps as the Enforcement Official may deem to be appropriate:
A. Performing an inspection of the conditions and/or activities alleged
to be in violation, and documenting the results of such inspection;
B. If a violation is found to exist, providing the owner of the affected property and any other person who may be responsible for the violation with notice of the violation and opportunity to abate, correct or cure the violation, or otherwise proceeding in the manner described in §
334-21 of this article;
C. If appropriate, issuing a stop-work order;
D. If a violation which was found to exist is abated or corrected, performing
an inspection to ensure that the violation has been abated or corrected,
preparing a final written report reflecting such abatement or correction,
and filing such report with the complaint.