[Amended 11-27-1978 by L.L. No. 4-1978[1]]
This chapter shall be known as the "Property Maintenance and Housing Code of the Incorporated Village of Bellerose" and is hereafter, in this chapter, referred to as the "code."
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed original Section 3, Effective Date, and, pursuant to L.L. No. 1-1976 which established the Code, designated L.L. No. 1-1971 as Ch. 29.
The purpose of this code is to provide basic and uniform standards governing the condition, occupancy and maintenance of housing, business and other premises and to establish reasonable safeguards for the safety, health and welfare of the occupants and users thereof.
This code shall apply to all premises as follows:
A. 
Lots, plots or parcels of land on which residential buildings, buildings of mixed occupancy or accessory structures are located.
B. 
Residential buildings, including one- and two-family dwellings and multiple dwellings.
C. 
Residential occupancies in buildings of mixed occupancy.
D. 
Accessory structures.
E. 
Business premises.
F. 
All other premises.
A. 
The provisions of this code shall supersede local laws, ordinances, codes or regulations to the extent that such laws, ordinances, codes or regulations are inconsistent with the provisions of this code, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the adoption and enforcement of a law, ordinance, code or regulation which is more restrictive or which establishes a higher standard than provided in this code, and such more restrictive requirement or higher standard shall govern during the period in which it is in effect.
B. 
Where a provision of this code is found to be in conflict with a provision of a zoning, building, electrical, plumbing, fire, safety, health, water supply or sewage disposal law or ordinance, or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or other local law, ordinance, code or regulation, the provision or requirement which is more restrictive or which establishes the higher standard shall prevail.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A structure, the use of which is incidental to that of the building and which is located on the same premises.
ACCESSORY USE
A use, occupancy or tenancy customarily incidental to the principal use or occupancy of a building.
APARTMENT
A dwelling unit within a multiple dwelling, two-family dwelling or mixed occupancy building.
APPROVED
Approved by the administrative officer under the regulations of this code or approved by an authority designated by law or this code.
BASEMENT
That space of a building that is partly below grade which has more than half its height, measured from floor to ceiling, above the average established curb level or finished grade of the ground adjoining the building.
BATHROOM
Enclosed space containing one or more bathtubs or showers, or both, and which may also contain water closets, lavatories or fixtures serving similar purposes. (See the definition of "toilet room.")
BUILDING
A structure wholly or partially enclosed within exterior walls, or within exterior party walls, and a roof, affording shelter to persons, animals or property.
CELLAR
That space of a building that is partly or entirely below grade, which has more than half of its height, measured from floor to ceiling, below the average established curb level or finished grade of the ground adjoining the building.
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY
A building containing not more than one dwelling unit, occupied exclusively for residential purposes.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A building containing not more than two dwelling units, occupied exclusively for residential purposes.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms with a separate entrance and with provisions for living, cooking, sanitary and sleeping facilities arranged for the use of one family only.
EXIT
A way of departure from the interior of a building or structure to the exterior at street or grade, including doorways, passageways, hallways, corridors, stairways, ramps, fire escapes and all other elements necessary for egress or escape.
FAMILY
A household constituting a single housekeeping unit, occupied by one or more persons related by blood or marriage.
GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARD
A specification, code, rule, guide or procedure in the field of construction, or related thereto, recognized and accepted as authoritative.
GRADE, FINISHED
Natural surface of ground, or surface of ground after completion of any change of contour, abutting a building or premises.
HABITABLE SPACE
Space occupied by one or more persons for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Kitchenettes shall not be deemed to be "habitable space." (See the definitions of "nonhabitable space," "public space" and "exit.")
INFESTATION
The presence, within or contiguous to a dwelling, dwelling unit or premises, of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests.
KITCHEN
Space, 60 square feet or more in floor area, with a minimum width of five feet, used for cooking or preparation of food.
KITCHENETTE
Space, less than 60 square feet in floor area, used for cooking or preparation of food.
MIXED OCCUPANCY
Occupancy of a building in part for residential use and in part for some other use not accessory thereto.
MULTIPLE DWELLING
A building containing three or more dwelling units; garden apartments; or buildings of mixed occupancy.
MULTIPLE RESIDENCE
See "multiple dwelling."
MUNICIPALITY
A county, town or Village.
NONHABITABLE SPACE
Space used as kitchenettes; pantries; bath, toilet, laundry, rest, dressing, locker, storage, utility, heater and boiler rooms; closets and other spaces for service and maintenance of the building; and those spaces used for access and vertical travel between stories. (See the definitions of "habitable space," "public space" and "exit.")
PLUMBING SYSTEM
The water supply system, the drainage system, the vent system and the fixtures and traps, including their respective connections, devices and appurtenances within the property lines of the premises.
POTABLE WATER
Water which is approved for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes.
PUBLIC SPACE
Space within a building for public use, such as business areas, lobbies and lounges; reception, ball-, meeting, lecture and recreation rooms; banquet and dining rooms and their kitchens; and swimming pools.
SEWAGE
Liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution and which may include industrial wastes and liquids containing chemicals.
STRUCTURE
Any combination or assembly of materials, no matter what the nature of those materials, forming a construction framed of component parts, the use of which requires location on the ground or attachment to something having location on the ground, including, but not limited to, buildings, fences, arbors, lattice, pagoda, portico, gazebo, walls, gates, gate posts, platforms, stands, pools, porches, sheds, barns, shelters, signs, signposts, standpipes, tanks, radio towers, radio antennas, television towers, television antennas, parabolic or hemispheric discs or dishes or other similar convex or concave antennas (but excluding conventional television and radio aerials), tents, hedgerows, plant rows, trellises and the like.
[Amended 4-14-2003 by L.L. No. 3-2003]
TOILET ROOM
Enclosed space, containing one or more water closets, which may also contain one or more lavatories, urinals and other plumbing devices or fixtures. (See the definition of "bathroom.")
VENTILATION
Supply and removal of air to and from a space by natural or mechanical means.
VENTILATION, MECHANICAL
Ventilation by power-driven means.
VENTILATION, NATURAL
Ventilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights, louvers or stacks, with or without wind-driven devices.