Source: https://ecode360.com/6945334
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 18:17:34+00:00

Document:
§ 128-1 Purpose and intent.
§ 128-3 Code Enforcement Officer and inspectors.
§ 128-7 Certificates of occupancy/certificates of compliance.
§ 128-8 Notification regarding fire or explosion.
§ 128-9 Unsafe buildings and structures.
§ 128-11 Firesafety and property maintenance inspections.
§ 128-14 Program review and reporting.
§ 128-15 Enforcement; penalties for offenses.
Unsafe buildings — See Ch. 96.
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 128, Fire Prevention and Building Construction, which consisted of the following: Part 1, General Provisions, adopted 12-8-1975 by L.L. No. 4-1975 (Ch. 26 of the 1975 Code), as amended; and Part 2, Enforcement and Administration, adopted 9-13-1976 by L.L. No. 3-1976 (Ch. 151 of the 1975 Code), as amended.
A permit issued pursuant to § 128-4 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 § 128-7B of this chapter.
The Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector appointed pursuant to § 128-3B of this chapter.
Shall include the Code Enforcement Officer and all inspectors.
An order issued by the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to § 128-15A of this chapter.
An inspector appointed pursuant to § 128-3D of this chapter.
A permit issued pursuant to § 128-10 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.
Shall include an individual, corporation, limited-liability company, partnership, limited partnership, business trust, estate, trust, association, or any other legal or commercial entity of any kind or description.
An order issued pursuant to § 128-6 of this chapter.
A certificate issued pursuant to § 128-7D of this chapter.
In the event that the Code Enforcement Officer is unable to serve as such for any reason, the Town Board shall designate an assistant Code Enforcement Officer to serve as Acting Code Enforcement Officer. The Acting Code Enforcement Officer shall, during the term of his or her appointment, exercise all powers and fulfill all duties conferred upon the Code Enforcement Officer by this chapter or other laws adopted by the Town Board.
One or more assistant Code Enforcement Officers 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 or other local law(s) adopted by the Town Board. Each inspector 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 inspector 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 inspectors shall be fixed from time to time by the Town Board.
Building permits required. Except as otherwise provided in Subsection B of this section, a building permit shall be required for any work which must conform to the Uniform Code and/or the Energy Code, including, but not limited to, the construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal, relocation or demolition of any building or structure or any portion thereof, and the installation of a solid-fuel-burning heating appliance, chimney or flue in any dwelling unit or where a building permit is required. No site work shall commence prior to issuance of the building permit or other required approvals. No person shall commence any work for which a building permit is required without first having obtained a building permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 128-16, 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.
Inspection results. After inspection, the work or a portion thereof shall be noted as satisfactory as completed, or the permit holder shall be notified of the reasons the work fails to comply with the Uniform Code or Energy Code. The permit holder must contact the office of the Code Enforcement Officer to receive the inspection results. 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.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 128-16, Fees, of this chapter must be paid prior to or at the time of each inspection performed pursuant to this section.
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 mail to the address shown on the building permit application or on the Town's tax records. 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 or assisting in work affected by the stop-work order, personally or by certified 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 § 128-15, 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.
Temporary certificate. The Code Enforcement Officer is authorized 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 (1) that the building or structure, or the portion thereof covered by the temporary certificate, may be occupied safely; (2) that any fire- and smoke-detecting or fire protection equipment which has been installed is operational; and (3) that all required means of egress from the building or structure have been provided; and (4) that all site plan work is completed to the Town's satisfaction or, at the Town's sole discretion, a bond is posted to secure completion of the work. 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 specified in the temporary certificate. 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.
Revocation or suspension of certificates. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that a certificate of occupancy, certificate of compliance 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.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 128-16, 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.
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.
Unsafe structures and equipment in this Town shall be identified and addressed in accordance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 96 of the Town Code, as now in effect or as hereafter amended from time to time.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall conduct periodic inspections for compliance with the provisions of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Such inspections may be made at any reasonable time.
If entrance to make an inspection is refused or cannot be obtained, the Code Enforcement Officer may apply for a warrant to make an inspection to any court of competent jurisdiction.
In case of an emergency, property may be inspected at any time without a warrant and without permission.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 128-16, 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.
Firesafety and property maintenance inspections of all multiple dwellings not included in Subsection A(1) or (2) of this subsection, and all nonresidential buildings, structures, uses and occupancies not included in Subsection A(1) or (2) of this subsection, shall be performed at least once every 12 months, not to exceed 18 months.
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.
Application for a warrant by the Code Enforcement Officer to any court of competent jurisdiction to make an inspection if entrance to make an inspection is refused or cannot be obtained.
Determination of the Code Enforcement Officer that there exists an emergency, in which case property may be inspected at any time without a warrant and without permission.
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.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 128-16, Fees, of this chapter must be paid prior to or at the time of each inspection performed pursuant to this section. This subsection shall not apply to inspections performed by OFPC.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall annually submit to the Town Board of this Town a written report and summary of all business conducted by the Code Enforcement Officer and the inspectors, including a report and summary of transactions and activities described in § 128-13, 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 (1) be in writing; (2) be dated and signed by the Code Enforcement Officer; (3) specify the condition or activity that violates the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, or this chapter; (4) 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; (5) specify the period of time which the Code Enforcement Officer deems to be reasonably necessary for achieving compliance; (6) direct that compliance be achieved within the specified period of time; and (7) state that an action or proceeding to compel compliance maybe 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.
Appearance tickets. The Code Enforcement Officer and each inspector are authorized to issue appearance tickets for any violation of the Uniform Code, Energy Code or this chapter.
Criminal penalties. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the violation of this law 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 provisions of this chapter shall be deemed an offense against such law, punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 for each day or part thereof during which such violation continues or imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Civil penalties. In addition to and not in lieu of 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, certificate of compliance, 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 $250 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 the Town or the Code Enforcement Officer.
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, certificate of compliance, 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.
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 § 128-6, 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 § 128-6, 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.
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, the issuance of building permits, amended building permits, renewed building permits, certificates of occupancy, certificate of compliance, 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 Town Board of the Town of Blooming Grove may, by resolution, authorize the Town Board 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.

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