[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Pleasant Valley 2-13-2002 by L.L. No. 1-2002;[1] amended in its entirety 4-9-2008 by L.L. No. 4-2008. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also superseded former Ch. 48, Fire Prevention, adopted 10-10-1990 by L.L. No. 5-1990, as amended.
This chapter and Chapter 39, Building Construction, provide for the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (the “Uniform Code”) and the State Energy Conservation Code (the “Energy Code”) and all subsequent amendments thereto and replacements thereof in the Town and shall establish powers, duties and responsibilities in connection therewith with respect to the fire prevention portions thereof. Except as otherwise provided in the Uniform Code, other state law, or other section of this chapter, all buildings, structures, and premises, regardless of use or occupancy, are subject to the provisions of this chapter.
There is designated in the Town a public official to be known as the "Fire Inspector" who shall be appointed by the Town Board. The Town Board may also appoint a Deputy Fire Inspector. Such appointments shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 39, Building Construction.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Code Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector and Fire Inspector appointed pursuant to Chapter 39, Building Construction.
A. 
Operating permits required.
(1) 
Operating permits shall be required for conducting the activities or using the categories of buildings listed below:
(a) 
Manufacturing, storing or handling hazardous materials in quantities exceeding those listed in Table 2703.1.1(1), 2703.1.1(2), 2703.1.1(3) or 2703.1.1(4) in the publication entitled "Fire Code of New York State" and incorporated by reference in 19 NYCRR 1225.1;
(b) 
Hazardous processes and activities, including but not limited to commercial and industrial operations which produce combustible dust as a byproduct, fruit and crop ripening, and waste handling;
(c) 
Use of pyrotechnic devices in assembly occupancies;
(d) 
Buildings containing one or more areas of public assembly with an occupant load of 100 persons or more; and
(e) 
Buildings whose use or occupancy classification may pose a substantial potential hazard to public safety, as determined by resolution adopted by the Town Board.
(2) 
Any person who proposes to undertake any activity or to operate any type of building listed in this Subsection A shall be required to obtain an operating permit prior to commencing such activity or operation.
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. The Fire Inspector shall review applications and recommend the issuance or denial of operating permits by the Code Enforcement Officer.
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.
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 his or her discretion, issue a single operating permit to apply to all such activities.
E. 
Duration of operating permits. Operating permits shall be issued for such period of time, not to exceed one year in the case of any operating permit issued for an area of public assembly and not to exceed three years in any other case, as shall be determined by the Code Enforcement Officer to be consistent with local conditions. 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.
G. 
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 48-5, Fees, of this chapter must be paid at the time of submission of an application for an operating permit, for an amended operating permit, or for reissue or renewal of an operating permit.
A fee schedule shall be established by resolution of the Town Board. 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, operating permits, firesafety and property maintenance inspections, and other actions of the Code Enforcement Officer described in or contemplated by this chapter and Chapter 39, Building Construction.
A. 
Inspections required. Firesafety and property maintenance inspections of buildings and structures shall be performed by the Code Enforcement Officer or an inspector designated by the Code Enforcement Officer at the following intervals:
(1) 
Firesafety and property maintenance inspections of buildings or structures which contain an area of public assembly shall be performed at least once every 12 months.
(2) 
Firesafety and property maintenance inspections of buildings or structures being occupied as dormitories shall be performed at least once every 12 months.
(3) 
Firesafety and property maintenance inspections of all multiple dwellings not included in Subsection A(1) or (2), and all nonresidential buildings, structures, uses and occupancies not included in Subsection A(1) or (2) shall be performed at least once every three years.
B. 
Inspections permitted. In addition to the inspections required by Subsection A of this section, a firesafety and property maintenance inspection of any building, structure, use, or occupancy, or of any dwelling unit, may also be performed by the Code Enforcement Officer or an inspector designated by the Code Enforcement Officer at any time upon: the request of the owner of the property to be inspected or an authorized agent of such owner; receipt by the Code Enforcement Officer of a written statement alleging that conditions or activities failing to comply with the Uniform Code or Energy Code exist; or receipt by the Code Enforcement Officer of any other information, reasonably believed by the Code Enforcement Officer to be reliable, giving rise to reasonable cause to believe that conditions or activities failing to comply with the Uniform Code or Energy Code exist; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed as permitting an inspection under any circumstances under which a court order or warrant permitting such inspection is required, unless such court order or warrant shall have been obtained.
C. 
OFPC inspections. Nothing in this section or in any other provision of this chapter shall supersede, limit or impair the powers, duties and responsibilities of the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control ("OFPC") and the New York State Fire Administrator under Executive Law § 156-e and Education Law § 807-b. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary:
(1) 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall not perform firesafety and property maintenance inspections of a building or structure which contains an area of public assembly if OFPC performs firesafety and property maintenance inspections of such building or structure at least once every 12 months;
(2) 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall not perform firesafety and property maintenance inspections of a building or structure occupied as a dormitory if OFPC performs firesafety and property maintenance inspections of such building or structure at least once every 12 months;
(3) 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall not perform firesafety and property maintenance inspections of a multiple dwelling not included in Subsection A(1) or (2) of this section if OFPC performs firesafety and property maintenance inspections of such multiple dwelling at intervals not exceeding the interval specified in Subsection A(3) of this section; and
(4) 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall not perform firesafety and property maintenance inspections of a nonresidential building, structure, use or occupancy not included in Subsection A(1) or (2) of this section if OFPC performs firesafety and property maintenance inspections of such nonresidential building, structure, use or occupancy at intervals not exceeding the interval specified in Subsection A(3) of this section.
Dangerous buildings and structures shall be removed in accordance with § 39-19 of Chapter 39, Building Construction.
The chief of any fire department providing fire-fighting services for a property within this Town shall promptly notify the Code Enforcement Officer of any fire or explosion involving any structural damage, fuel-burning appliance, chimney or gas vent.
A. 
A person owning, operating, occupying or maintaining property or premises shall comply with all applicable provisions of the State Code, this chapter and all orders, notices, rules, regulations or determinations issued in connection therewith.
B. 
Whenever the Fire Inspector finds that there has been a violation of the Uniform Code or Energy Code, with respect to this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this chapter, a violation order shall be issued to the owner and/or occupant of the premises.
C. 
Violation orders shall be in writing, shall identify the property or premises and shall specify the violation and remedial action to be taken.
D. 
Violation orders may be served by personal service, by mailing by certified mail or by posting a copy thereof in a conspicuous place on the premises and by mailing a copy thereof to the premises on the same day as posted, enclosed in a postpaid wrapper addressed to the person responsible.
E. 
In case the owner, lessor or occupant or the agent of any of them shall fail, neglect or refuse to remove, eliminate or abate the violation, a request to take appropriate legal action shall be made to the Town Board. Where, in the opinion of the inspecting authority, such violation is deemed to be a clear and present danger to life, and such danger is confirmed by the Town Building Inspector and Town Fire Inspector, any appropriate and necessary action may be taken forthwith to restrain, correct or abate the violation, and such remedy shall be in addition to penalties otherwise prescribed by law.
The Fire Inspector shall keep official records of all permits, inspection reports, recommendations, complaints and violation orders.
[Amended 6-17-2024 by L.L. No. 1-2024]
A. 
The Town shall have a Fire and Life Safety Review Board, previously established as the Fire Prevention Advisory Board.
B. 
Said Board shall meet on a monthly basis or as needed as determined by the Chairman of the Fire and Life Safety Review Board.
C. 
Membership.
(1) 
Said Board shall consist of seven members. There shall be two standing members, the Fire Inspector and the District Fire Chief. There shall also be three appointments by the Town Board. The final two members shall be recommended by the Board of Fire Commissioners, one member of each of the two fire companies in the Town, and approved by the Town Board.
(2) 
The Town Board shall appoint the Chairperson.
(3) 
All appointments, except the standing members, shall be at the pleasure of the Town Board. The three members selected by the Town Board shall be appointed for three-year terms with one term ending each year. The Town Board may remove members with or without cause at any time.
(4) 
The Town Board shall appoint a Recording Secretary.
(5) 
The Board shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report with the Town Board.
(6) 
No member of the Fire and Life Safety Review Board may miss three regularly scheduled meetings of the Board during a calendar year, other than for a medical or other emergency or for any other just cause approved, in advance, by the Chair. It is expected that Board members be on time and call the Chair or Secretary if they cannot attend a meeting.
(7) 
Alternate members.
(a) 
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALTERNATE MEMBER
An individual appointed by the Town Board available for service when a regular member of the Fire and Life Safety Review Board must be absent or is unable to participate on an application or matter before the Board due to a conflict of interest or otherwise, as provided herein.
(b) 
Number and term of alternate members. The Town Board shall appoint, by resolution, two alternate members to the Fire and Life Safety Review Board for terms of up to two years.
(c) 
Designation of an alternate member.
[1] 
The Chairperson of the Fire and Life Safety Review Board shall designate an alternate member to substitute for a member when such member is absent or is unable to participate on an application or matter before the Board. If there are two alternate members, they shall be designated for service on a rotating basis. When so designated, the alternate member shall possess all of the powers and responsibilities of such member of the Board. Such designation shall be entered into the minutes of the first meeting of the Fire and Life Safety Review Board at which the substitution is made.
[2] 
Provided that all other requirements of this section are satisfied, the designation of an alternate member to serve as a member may be made for a particular meeting or meetings, or for a specified period of time, but in no event beyond the duration of the alternate member's appointment as an alternate member. The designation to substitute shall take place only when a regular Board member in whose place the alternate member shall act is absent or otherwise unable to serve as specified herein.
[3] 
Upon the return of an absent regular member or the resumption of the regular member's ability to serve, the alternate member shall automatically resume his/her status as an alternate member and shall no longer be allowed to vote on Board affairs. The alternate member shall remain eligible to substitute in the future for the same or other regular members, subject to the same requirements of eligibility set forth herein, including redesignation as an acting member of the Board.
[4] 
When an alternate member is not designated to serve as a member at a particular meeting, the alternate member may sit with the Board and may take part in discussion so that the alternate will be prepared if called upon to vote on an application at a future meeting.
(d) 
Duties and responsibilities of alternate members. All provisions of law relating to the Fire and Life Safety Review Board member eligibility, vacancy in office, removal, compatibility of office and service on other boards, as well as any provisions of a local law/local ordinance relating to training, continuing education and attendance, shall also apply to alternate members.
A. 
All applications subject to review by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals shall be reviewed by the Fire Prevention Advisory Board for compliance with the State Code. This review will address all concerns of the emergency agencies. The Fire Prevention Advisory Board shall submit their recommendations and requirements so such Boards. The final decision to accept or decline the recommendations will remain with such Boards.
B. 
It shall be the duty of said Board to recommend to the Town Board such additional ordinances as it deems necessary for safeguarding life and property against fire.
A. 
Compliance orders. The Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to order, in writing, the remedying of any condition or activity found to exist in, on or about any building, structure, or premises in violation of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, or this chapter. Upon finding that any such condition or activity exists, the Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a compliance order. The compliance order shall be in writing; be dated and signed by the Code Enforcement Officer; specify the condition or activity that violates the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, or this chapter; specify the provision or provisions of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, or this chapter which is/are violated by the specified condition or activity; specify the period of time which the Code Enforcement Officer deems to be reasonably necessary for achieving compliance; direct that compliance be achieved within the specified period of time; and state that an action or proceeding to compel compliance may be instituted if compliance is not achieved within the specified period of time. The Code Enforcement Officer shall cause the compliance order, or a copy thereof, to be served on the owner of the affected property personally or by certified mail. The Code Enforcement Officer shall be permitted, but not required, to cause the compliance order, or a copy thereof, to be served on any builder, architect, tenant, contractor, subcontractor, construction superintendent, or their agents, or any other person taking part or assisting in work being performed at the affected property personally or by certified mail; provided, however, that failure to serve any person mentioned in this sentence shall not affect the efficacy of the compliance order.
B. 
Appearance tickets. The Code Enforcement Officer and each inspector are authorized to issue appearance tickets for any violation of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code and this chapter.
C. 
Civil penalties. In addition to those penalties prescribed by state law, any person who violates any provision of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code or this chapter, or any term or condition of any building permit, certificate of occupancy, temporary certificate, stop-work order, operating permit or other notice or order issued by the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to any provision of this chapter, shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $200 for each day or part thereof during which such violation continues. The civil penalties provided by this subsection shall be recoverable in an action instituted in the name of this Town.
D. 
Injunctive relief. An action or proceeding may be instituted in the name of this Town, in a court of competent jurisdiction, to prevent, restrain, enjoin, correct, or abate any violation of, or to enforce, any provision of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, this chapter, or any term or condition of any building permit, certificate of occupancy, temporary certificate, stop-work order, operating permit, compliance order, or other notice or order issued by the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to any provision of this chapter. In particular, but not by way of limitation, where the construction or use of a building or structure is in violation of any provision of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, this chapter, or any stop-work order, compliance order or other order obtained under the Uniform Code, the Energy Code or this chapter, an action or proceeding may be commenced in the name of this Town, in the Supreme Court or in any other court having the requisite jurisdiction, to obtain an order directing the removal of the building or structure or an abatement of the condition in violation of such provisions. No action or proceeding described in this subsection shall be commenced without the appropriate authorization from the Town Board.
E. 
Remedies not exclusive. No remedy or penalty specified in this section shall be the exclusive remedy or penalty available to address any violation described in this section, and each remedy or penalty specified in this section shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for or limitation of, the other remedies or penalties specified in this section, in § 39-14, Stop-work orders, in any other section of this chapter, or in any other applicable law. Any remedy or penalty specified in this section may be pursued at any time, whether prior to, simultaneously with, or after the pursuit of any other remedy or penalty specified in this section, in § 39-14, Stop-work orders, in any other section of this chapter, or in any other applicable law. In particular, but not by way of limitation, each remedy and penalty specified in this section shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for or limitation of, the penalties specified in Subdivision (2) of § 382 of the Executive Law, and any remedy or penalty specified in this section may be pursued at any time, whether prior to, simultaneously with, or after the pursuit of any penalty specified in Subdivision (2) of § 382 of the Executive Law.
The Town Board may, by resolution, authorize the Supervisor to enter into an agreement, in the name of the Town of Pleasant Valley, 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.