Source: https://ecode360.com/12926218
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 20:28:30+00:00

Document:
§ 54-3 Code Enforcement Officer; assistants.
§ 54-8 Notification regarding fire or explosion.
§ 54-9 Unsafe buildings and structures.
§ 54-11 Firesafety and property maintenance inspections.
§ 54-14 Program review and reporting.
§ 54-15 Enforcement; penalties for offenses.
Unsafe buildings — See Ch. 60.
Electrical standards and inspections — See Ch. 82.
Heating equipment — See Ch. 100.
Stormwater management — See Ch. 154.
Editor's Note: This local law repealed former Ch. 54, Building Construction, adopted 8-13-1970, as amended. This local law also stated that it shall take effect on January 1, 2007, and upon filing with the New York State Secretary of State.
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 this Town. This chapter is adopted pursuant to § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law. 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.
An Assistant Code Enforcement Officer appointed pursuant to § 54-3D of this chapter.
A permit issued pursuant to § 54-4 of this chapter. The term "building permit" shall also include a building permit which is renewed, amended or extended pursuant to any provision of this chapter.
A certificate issued pursuant to § 54-7B of this chapter. A certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance may be issued depending on the scope of the permit.
The Code Enforcement Officer appointed pursuant to § 54-3B of this chapter. The Code Enforcement Officer may also be the Building Inspector.
The Code Enforcement Officer, the Building Inspector, and all assistants.
An order issued by the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to § 54-15A of this chapter.
A permit issued pursuant to § 54-10 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.
An order issued pursuant to § 54-6 of this chapter.
A certificate issued pursuant to § 54-7D of this chapter.
Shall not engage in any activity inconsistent with his or her duties for the Town, nor, during the time of his or her employment, shall he or she be engaged, directly or indirectly, in any building business; the furnishing of labor, materials or equipment for the construction, alteration or maintenance of a building; or the preparation of plans or specifications thereof within the Town of Wawayanda, excepting only that this provision shall not prohibit such person from such activities in connection with the construction of a building or structure owned by him or her.
May reside outside the Town; provided, however, that such residency shall not prevent him or her from carrying out the duties of the position, and further provided that he or she shall not utilize any equipment provided by the Town for carrying out the duties under this Code outside the Town without the permission, in writing, of the Town Board.
One or more assistants may be appointed by the Town Board to act under the supervision and direction of the Code Enforcement Officer and to assist the Code Enforcement Officer in the exercise of the powers and fulfillment of the duties conferred upon the Code Enforcement Officer by this chapter. Each assistant shall, within the time prescribed by law, obtain such basic training, in-service training, advanced in-service training and other training as the State of New York shall require for code enforcement personnel, and each assistant shall obtain certification from the State Fire Administrator pursuant to the Executive Law and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
The compensation for the Code Enforcement Officer and assistants shall be fixed from time to time by the Town Board of this Town.
Time limits. Building permits shall become invalid unless the authorized work is commenced within 12 months following the date of issuance. Building permits shall expire 24 months after the date of issuance. A building permit which has become invalid or which has expired pursuant to this subsection may, for good cause, be renewed for an additional twenty-four-month period upon application by the permit holder, payment of the applicable fee, and review and approval of the application by the Code Enforcement Officer.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 54-16, Fees, of this chapter must be paid at the time of submission of an application for a building permit, for an amended building permit, or for renewal of a building permit. All fees are nonrefundable unless authorized by the Town Board.
Work to remain accessible and exposed. Work shall remain accessible and exposed until inspected and accepted by the Code Enforcement Officer or by an assistant authorized by the Code Enforcement Officer. The permit holder shall notify the Code Enforcement Officer when any element of work described in Subsection B of this section is ready for inspection.
Inspection results. After inspection, the work or a portion thereof shall be noted as satisfactory as completed or the permit holder shall be notified as to where the work fails to comply with the Uniform Code or Energy Code. Work not in compliance with any applicable provision of the Uniform Code or Energy Code shall remain exposed until such work shall have been brought into compliance with all applicable provisions of the Uniform Code and the Energy Code, reinspected, and found satisfactory as completed.
Independent testing. Whenever necessary or appropriate to assure compliance with the provisions of applicable laws, ordinances and regulations covering building construction, the Code Enforcement Officer may require the performance of tests in the field by experienced, professional persons or by accredited and authoritative testing laboratories or service bureaus or agencies. All fees must be reimbursed as outlined in § 54-16B.
Engineer/architect certifications. The Code Enforcement Officer may, at his or her discretion, accept the certification of a state-licensed professional engineer or registered architect that work has been performed in accordance with all local codes and the Uniform Code.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 54-16, Fees, of this chapter must be paid prior to or at the time of each inspection performed pursuant to this section.
Any work for which a building permit is required which is being performed without the required building permit or under a building permit that has become invalid, has expired, or has been suspended or revoked.
Content of stop-work orders. Stop-work orders shall be in writing, be dated and signed by the Code Enforcement Officer, state the reason or reasons for issuance and, if applicable, state the conditions which must be satisfied before work will be permitted to resume.
Service of stop-work orders. The Code Enforcement Officer shall cause the stop-work order, or a copy thereof, to be served on the owner of the affected property (and if the owner is not the permit holder, on the permit holder) personally or by certified and regular mail. The Code Enforcement Officer shall be permitted, but not required, to cause the stop-work 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 in or assisting in work affected by the stop-work order, personally or by certified and regular mail; provided, however, that failure to serve any person mentioned in this sentence shall not affect the efficacy of the stop-work order.
Remedy not exclusive. The issuance of a stop-work order shall not be the exclusive remedy available to address any event described in Subsection A of this section, and the authority to issue a stop-work order shall be in addition to, and not in substitution for or limitation of, the right and authority to pursue any other remedy or impose any other penalty under § 54-15, Enforcement; penalties for offenses, of this chapter or under any other applicable local law or state law. Any such other remedy or penalty may be pursued at any time, whether prior to, at the time of, or after the issuance of a stop-work order.
Certificates required. A certificate shall be required for any work which is the subject of a building permit and for all structures, buildings or portions thereof which are converted from one use or occupancy classification or subclassification to another. Permission to use or occupy a building or structure, or portion thereof, for which a building permit was previously issued shall be granted only by issuance of a certificate.
The signature of the Code Enforcement Officer issuing the certificate and the date of issuance.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall be permitted to issue a temporary certificate allowing the temporary occupancy of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, prior to completion of the work which is the subject of a building permit. However, in no event shall the Code Enforcement Officer issue a temporary certificate unless the Code Enforcement Officer determines that the building or structure, or the portion thereof covered by the temporary certificate, may be occupied safely, that any fire- and smoke-detecting or fire protection equipment which has been installed is operational, and that all required means of egress from the building or structure have been provided. The Code Enforcement Officer may include in a temporary certificate such terms and conditions as he or she deems necessary or appropriate to ensure safety or to further the purposes and intent of the Uniform Code. A temporary certificate shall be effective for a period of time, not to exceed six months, which shall be determined by the Code Enforcement Officer and shall be specified in the temporary certificate. A temporary certificate may be renewed for an additional six months for good cause. During the specified period of effectiveness of the temporary certificate, the permit holder shall undertake to bring the building or structure into full compliance with all applicable provisions of the Uniform Code and the Energy Code.
The applicant may be required to furnish a performance bond or other security, which bond or other security shall run to the benefit of the Town. The form and the amount of security shall be set by the Code Enforcement Officer and the Town Engineer, shall be held by the Town Board, and shall be in such form as is acceptable to the Town Attorney.
Revocation or suspension of certificates. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that a certificate or a temporary certificate was issued in error because of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, and if the relevant deficiencies are not corrected to the satisfaction of the Code Enforcement Officer within such period of time as shall be specified by the Code Enforcement Officer, the Code Enforcement Officer shall revoke or suspend such certificate.
Certificate based on engineer/architect certification. The Code Enforcement Officer is authorized to issue a certificate in regard to any building or structure upon receiving from a licensed professional engineer or registered architect as-built plans and a sworn certification which, to the satisfaction of the Code Enforcement Officer, certifies that the building complies with all requirements of the Town of Wawayanda and the Uniform Code which existed at the time erected, notwithstanding that said premises may not have the otherwise requisite building permits. Said certificate shall recite that the certificate is issued upon the certification of the licensed professional engineer or registered architect and that the building complies with all requirements of the Town of Wawayanda and the Uniform Code for the issuance of a certificate at the time erected and that the Town issues the certificate solely on the basis of that certification and not on the basis of any independent inspection or investigation.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 54-16, Fees, of this chapter must be paid at the time of submission of an application for a certificate of occupancy/certificate of compliance or for a temporary certificate.
Unsafe structures and equipment in this Town shall be identified and addressed in accordance with the procedures established in Chapter 60 of the Town Ordinance and/or the applicable provisions of the Fire and Property Maintenance Codes of New York State, as now in effect or as hereafter amended from time to time.
Editor's Note: See Ch. 60, Buildings, Unsafe, in this Code.
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.
Duration of operating permits. Operating permits shall be issued for such period of time, not to exceed three years, 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.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 54-16, 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.
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 assistant 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.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 54-16, Fees, of this chapter must be paid prior to or at the time each of inspection performed pursuant to this section. This subsection shall not apply to inspections performed by OFPC.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall, upon request, submit to the Town Board of this Town a written report and summary of all business conducted by the Code Enforcement Officer and the assistants, including a report and summary of all transactions and activities described in § 54-13, Recordkeeping, of this chapter and a report and summary of all appeals or litigation pending or concluded.
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 and regular 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 and regular mail; provided, however, that failure to serve any person mentioned in this sentence shall not affect the efficacy of the compliance order.
Appearance tickets. The Code Enforcement Officer and each assistant are authorized to issue appearance tickets for any violation of the Uniform Code.
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, 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.
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, 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 of this Town.
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 § 54-6, Stop-work orders, of this chapter; 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 § 54-6, Stop-work orders, of this chapter; 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.
Fee schedule. A fee schedule shall be established by resolution of the Town Board of this Town. 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, temporary certificates, operating permits, firesafety and property maintenance inspections, and other actions of the Code Enforcement Officer described in or contemplated by this chapter.
The Code Enforcement Officer is hereby empowered to charge an applicant the expense for professional fees incurred by the Department for professional fees which are incurred as a result of professional work required to be done on behalf of the Code Enforcement Officer as a result of the filing of an application seeking approval or the approval of any construction.
Professional services. Such professional services shall include, but not be limited to, architects, attorneys and engineers for services rendered in connection with the above.
The professional involved, who will be hired at the request of the Code Enforcement Officer, will submit a statement setting forth the nature of services performed, the date such services were rendered, the time spent thereon (if such services are rendered in a timed basis) and the name of the party rendering such services. A voucher or other bill rendered to the Town and paid by the Town shall be deemed a fee statement in full compliance with this section.
Payment of the fee by the applicant shall be a prerequisite for approval of the application or construction but shall be paid regardless of whether approval is granted or not. If the relief sought by the applicant is granted but the fee(s) is not paid, the issuing authority can revoke its action ex parte and afterwards notify the applicant for the same of said revocation and that the relief sought will not be regranted until the fees are paid.
Disputed fees. Any applicant who disputes any fee statement presented to him may bring a proceeding in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, in and for the County of Orange, pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules of New York, within 30 days after presentation of such disputed fee statement. The commencement of such a proceeding shall not stay the obligation of the applicant to pay any fee statement presented to him pursuant to this chapter.
Failure to reimburse fees. Any fee statement imposed by this section which remains unpaid at the time the Town certifies its annual tax roll shall become a lien upon the premises for which the application was made. Such unreimbursed fees shall thereupon be levied against said premises as if a tax on real property and in addition to all other taxes, fees, rents or charges which would otherwise be so levied. In the event the affected premises comprise more than one tax lot, the Town Treasurer shall distribute such levy equally among such tax lots without regard to assessed value or any other factor.
The Town Board of this Town may, by resolution, authorize the Town Supervisor of this Town to enter into an agreement, in the name of this Town, 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.
If any section of this chapter shall be held unconstitutional, invalid or ineffective, in whole or in part, such determination shall not be deemed to affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this chapter.

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