[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Clarkstown 2-21-1979 by L.L. No. 1-1979 (Ch. 31 of the 1974 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction administration — See Ch. 109.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 143.
Housing standards — See Ch. 157.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 216.
[Amended 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
Unsafe buildings pose a threat to life and property in the Town of Clarkstown. Buildings and structures may become unsafe by reason of damage by fire, the elements, age or general deterioration. Vacant buildings not properly secured at doorways and windows also serve as an attractive nuisance for young children who may be injured therein. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide for the safety, health, protection and general welfare of persons and property in the Town of Clarkstown by requiring such unsafe buildings to be repaired or demolished and removed. The provisions of this chapter shall be in addition to and in furtherance of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code,[1] including, but not limited to, Sections 108 and 109 of the Property Maintenance Code of New York State.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Executive Law § 370 et seq.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BUILDING
Any structure having a roof supported by columns or by walls and intended for the shelter, housing or enclosure of persons, animals or chattels.
[Amended 9-11-1991 by L.L. No. 6-1991]
BUILDING INSPECTOR
The Chief Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of Clarkstown.
[Amended 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
When in his own opinion or upon receipt of information that a building is or may become dangerous or unsafe to the general public; is open at the doorways and windows, making it accessible and an object of attraction to minors under 18 years of age, as well as to vagrants and other trespassers; is or may become a place of rodent infestation; presents any other danger to the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the public; or is unfit for the purposes for which it may lawfully be used, the Building Inspector shall cause or make an inspection thereof and report, in writing, to the Town Board his findings and recommendations in regard to its repair or demolition and removal.
The Town Board shall thereafter consider such report and by resolution determine, if in its opinion the report so warrants, that such building is unsafe and dangerous and order its repair, if the same can be safely repaired, or its demolition and removal and further order that a notice be served upon the persons and in the manner provided herein.
[Amended 10-28-1980 by L.L. No. 8-1980]
A. 
The notice shall contain the following:
(1) 
A description of the premises.
(2) 
A statement of the particulars in which the building or structure is unsafe or dangerous.
(3) 
An order outlining the manner in which the building is to be made safe and secure or demolished and removed.
(4) 
A statement that the securing or removal of such building shall commence within 30 days of service of the notice and shall be completed within sixty (60) days thereafter, unless for good cause shown such time shall be extended.
(5) 
A date, time and place for a hearing before the Town Board in relation to such dangerous or unsafe building, which hearing shall be scheduled not less than five business days from the date of service of the notice.
(6) 
A statement that in the event of neglect or refusal to comply with the order to secure or demolish and remove the building, the Town Board is authorized to provide for its demolition and removal, to assess all expenses thereof against the land on which it is located and to institute a special proceeding to collect the costs of demolition, including legal expenses.
B. 
The notice shall be filed in the office of the County Clerk of the County of Rockland in the same manner as a notice of pendency pursuant to the Civil Practice Law and Rules, Article 65, and the aforementioned notice shall be effective for a period of one year from the date of filing. The aforesaid filing may be vacated upon an order of a Judge or Justice of a court of record or upon the consent of the Town Attorney.
[Amended 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
The notice shall be served by personal service of a copy thereof upon the owner, executor, administrator, agent, lessee or any person having a vested or contingent interest in such unsafe building, as shown by the records of the receiver of taxes or of the County Clerk or, if no such person can be reasonably found, by mailing to such owner by certified mail a copy of such notice directed to his last known address as shown by the above records; and by personal service of a copy of such notice upon any adult person residing in or occupying said premises if such person can be reasonably found; and by securely affixing a copy of such notice upon the unsafe building.
[Amended 10-28-1980 by L.L. No. 8-1980; 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
In the event of the refusal or neglect of the person so notified to comply with said order of the Town Board and after the hearing, the Town Board shall provide for the demolition and removal of such building or structure either by Town employees or by contract. Except in an emergency, as provided in § 111-9 hereof, any contract for demolition and removal of a building shall be awarded pursuant to the Town of Clarkstown Department of Purchasing procedures.
All expenses incurred by the Town in connection with the proceedings to repair and secure or demolish and remove the unsafe building, including the cost of actually removing such building, shall be assessed against the land on which such building is located and shall be levied and collected in the same manner as provided in Article 15 of the Town Law for the levy and collection of a special ad valorem levy.
Where it reasonably appears that there is present a clear and imminent danger to life, safety or health of any person or property, unless an unsafe building is immediately repaired and secured or demolished, the Town Board may, by resolution, authorize the Building Inspector to immediately cause the repair or demolition of such unsafe building. The expenses of such repair or demolition shall be a charge against the land on which it is located and shall be assessed, levied and collected as provided in § 111-8.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 111-10, Compensation of surveyor, which immediately followed, was repealed 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010.