Source: https://www.ecode360.com/11860149
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 02:48:49+00:00

Document:
§ 36-1 Code Enforcement Officer.
§ 36-2 Acting Code Enforcement Officer.
§ 36-4 Restrictions on employees.
§ 36-5 Powers and duties of Code Enforcement Officer.
§ 36-6 Records and reports.
§ 36-7 Penalties for offenses.
§ 36-8 Abatement of violation.
§ 36-11 Code Enforcement Officer; inspectors.
§ 36-15 Certificates of occupancy/certificates of compliance.
§ 36-16 Notification regarding fire or explosion.
§ 36-17 Unsafe buildings and structures.
§ 36-19 Firesafety and property maintenance inspections.
§ 36-22 Program review and reporting.
§ 36-23 Enforcement; penalties for offenses.
Unsafe buildings — See Ch. 42.
Electrical inspections — See Ch. 47.
Energy conservation construction — See Ch. 49.
Fire suppression systems — See Ch. 62.
Mobile home parks — See Ch. 77.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 100.
Woodburning stoves — See Ch. 115.
Zoning — See Ch. 120.
There is hereby designated in the Town of Rush a public official to be known as the "Code Enforcement Officer," who shall be appointed by the Town Board, at a compensation to be fixed by it. The Code Enforcement Officer shall direct the operation and functioning of the Building Department.
In the absence of the Code Enforcement Officer, or in the case of his inability to act for any reason, the Town Board shall have the power to designate a person to act in behalf of the Code Enforcement Officer and to exercise all the powers conferred upon him by this article.
The Town Board may appoint one Building Inspector or more, as the need may appear, to act under the supervision and direction of the Code Enforcement Officer and to exercise any portion of the powers and duties of the Code Enforcement Officer as directed by him. The compensation of such Building Inspectors shall be fixed by the Town Board.
The Code Enforcement Officer, Building Inspector or any officer or employee of the Building Department shall not engage in any activity inconsistent with his duties, or with the interests of the Building Department; nor shall he, during the term of his employment, be engaged directly or indirectly in any building business, in the furnishing of labor, materials, supplies or appliances for, or the supervision of, the construction, alteration, demolition or maintenance of a building or the preparation of plans or specifications thereof within the Town of Rush, excepting that this provision shall not prohibit any employee from engaging in any such activities in connection with the construction of a building or structure owned by him for his own personal use and occupancy or for the use and occupancy of members of his immediate family, and not constructed for sale.
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, ordinance, rule or regulation, or except as herein otherwise provided, the Code Enforcement Officer shall administer and enforce all of the provisions of laws, ordinances, rules and regulations applicable to the plans, specifications, or permits for the construction, alteration and repair of buildings and structures, and the installation and use of materials and equipment therein, and the location, use and occupancy thereof.
He shall promulgate rules and regulations subject to the approval of the Town Board to secure the intent and purposes of this article and a proper enforcement of the laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing building plans, specifications, construction, alteration or repairs.
He shall receive applications, approve plans and specifications, and issue permits for the erection and alteration of buildings or structures or parts thereof and shall examine the premises for which such applications have been received, plans approved, or such permits have been issued for the purpose of insuring compliance with laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing building construction or alterations.
He shall issue in writing all appropriate notices or orders to remove illegal or unsafe conditions, to require the necessary safeguards during construction and to insure compliance during the entire course of construction with the requirements of such laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. Such notices or orders may be served upon the property owner or his agent personally, or by sending by certified mail a copy of such order to the owner or his agent at the address set forth in the application for permission for the construction or alteration of such building, and by posting the same upon a conspicuous portion of the premises to which the notice applies. He shall make all inspections which are necessary or proper for the carrying out of his duties, except that he may accept written reports of inspection from Building Inspectors or other employees of the Building Department or from generally recognized and authoritative service and inspection bureaus or agencies, provided the same are certified by a responsible official thereof.
Whenever the same may be appropriate to determine compliance with the provisions of applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations covering building construction or alteration, he may, in his discretion, accept and rely upon written reports of tests in the field by experienced, professional persons or by accredited and authoritative testing laboratories or service and inspection bureaus or agencies.
He shall issue a certificate of occupancy where appropriate for a building constructed or altered in accordance with the provisions of the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Such certificate shall certify that the building conforms to the requirements of the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall keep permanent official records of all transactions and activities conducted by him including all applications received, plans approved, permits and certificates issued, fees charged and collected, inspection reports, all rules and regulations promulgated by him with the consent of the Town Board, and notices and orders issued. All such records shall be public records open to public inspection during normal business hours.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall, annually, submit to the Town Board a written report and summary of all business conducted by the Building Department, including approvals, permits and certificates issued, fees collected, orders and notices promulgated, inspections and tests made and appeals or litigation pending or concluded.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to construct, alter, repair, move, equip, use or occupy any building or structure or portion thereof in violation of any provision of law or ordinance, as well as any regulation or rule promulgated by the Code Enforcement Officer in accordance with applicable laws, or to fail in any manner to comply with a notice, directive or order of the Code Enforcement Officer, or to construct, alter, use or occupy any building or structure or part thereof, in a manner not permitted by an approved building permit or certificate of occupancy.
Any person who shall fail to comply with a written order of the Code Enforcement Officer within the time fixed for compliance therewith, and any owner, builder, architect, tenant, contractor, subcontractor, construction superintendent or their agents, or any other person taking part or assisting in the construction or use of any building who shall knowingly violate any of the applicable provisions of law, or any lawful order, notice, directive, permit or certificate of the Code Enforcement Officer made thereunder shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 per day of violation or imprisonment for a period of not to exceed one year, or both. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense.
Except as provided otherwise by law, such a violation shall not be a crime and the penalty or punishment imposed therefor shall not be deemed for any purpose a penal or criminal penalty or punishment, and shall not impose any disability upon or affect or impair the credibility as a witness, or otherwise, of any person found guilty of such an offense.
Appropriate action and proceedings may be taken at law or in equity to prevent unlawful construction or to restrain, correct or abate a violation or to prevent illegal occupancy of a building, structure or premises or to prevent illegal acts, conduct or business in or about any premises and these remedies shall be in addition to penalties otherwise prescribed by law.
Editor's Note: This local law also superseded former Art. II, Administration and Enforcement of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, adopted 1-26-1982 by L.L. No. 1-1982.
This article 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 article 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 article, all buildings, structures, and premises, regardless of use or occupancy, are subject to the provisions of this article.
A permit issued pursuant to § 36-12 of this article. The term "building permit" shall also include a building permit which is renewed, amended or extended pursuant to any provision of this article.
A certificate issued pursuant to § 36-15B of this article.
The Code Enforcement Officer appointed pursuant to § 36-11B of this article.
The Code Enforcement Officer and all inspectors.
An order issued by the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to § 36-23A of this article.
An inspector appointed pursuant to § 36-11D of this article.
A permit issued pursuant to § 36-18 of this article. The term "operating permit" shall also include an operating permit which is renewed, amended or extended pursuant to any provision of this article.
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 § 36-14 of this article.
A certificate issued pursuant to § 36-15D of this article.
To exercise all other powers and fulfill all other duties conferred upon the Code Enforcement Officer by this article.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall be appointed by the Town Board. The Code Enforcement Officer shall possess background experience related to building construction or fire prevention and 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 the Code Enforcement Officer shall obtain certification from the State Fire Administrator pursuant to the Executive Law and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
In the event that the Code Enforcement Officer is unable to serve as such for any reason, an individual shall be appointed by the Town Board 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 article. Any such Acting Code Enforcement Officer shall have the current New York State Code Enforcement certification.
One or more inspectors may be appointed by the Town Board of this Town 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 article. 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.
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, demolition or the extension of electrical, plumbing or HVAC systems 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. 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.
Work to be performed in accordance with construction documents. All work shall be performed in accordance with the construction documents which were submitted with and accepted as part of the application for the building permit. The building permit shall contain such a directive. The permit holder shall immediately notify the Code Enforcement Officer of any change occurring during the course of the work. The building permit shall contain such a directive. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that such change warrants a new or amended building permit, such change shall not be made until and unless a new or amended building permit reflecting such change is issued.
Revocation or suspension of building permits. If the Code Enforcement Officer determines that a building permit was issued in error because of incorrect, inaccurate or incomplete information, or that the work for which a building permit was issued violates the Uniform Code or the Energy Code, the Code Enforcement Officer shall revoke the building permit or suspend the building permit until such time as the permit holder demonstrates that all work then completed is in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Uniform Code and the Energy Code and all work then proposed to be performed shall be in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Uniform Code and the Energy Code.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 36-24, Fees, of this article 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.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 36-24, Fees, of this article must be paid prior to or at the time of each inspection performed pursuant to this section.
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.
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 § 36-23, Enforcement; penalties for offenses, of this article 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 of occupancy/certificates of compliance required. A certificate of occupancy/certificate of compliance 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 of occupancy/certificate of compliance.
Temporary certificate. 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 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.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 36-24, Fees, of this article 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, electrical fire or damage, fuel-burning appliance, chimney or gas vent, any fire which the origin has been traced to the electrical system of any buildings or structures, and any emergency response involving carbon monoxide detector activation.
Unsafe structures and equipment in this Town shall be identified and addressed in accordance with the procedures established by Chapter 42 of the Code of the Town of Rush, as now in effect or as hereafter amended from time to time.
Carnivals, fairs and special events for over 300 people, except those events associated with one- or two-family residential uses.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 36-24, Fees, of this article 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), and all nonresidential buildings, structures, uses and occupancies not included in Subsection A(1) or (2) shall be performed at least once every 36 months.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 36-24, Fees, of this article must be paid prior to or at the time each inspection is performed pursuant to this section.
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 all transactions and activities described in § 36-21, Recordkeeping, of this article 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 article. 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 article; specify the provision or provisions of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, or this article 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.
In addition to those penalties prescribed by state law, any person who violates any provision of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code or this article, 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 article, 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.
Any violation of any part of this article or orders issued in compliance with this article or any other Town local law shall constitute a violation as defined in the Penal Law of the State of New York, and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $250, or 15 days' imprisonment, or both such fine and/or imprisonment. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate violation.
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 article, 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 article. 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 article, or any stop-work order, compliance order or other order obtained under the Uniform Code, the Energy Code or this article, 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 § 36-14, Stop-work orders, of this article, in any other section of this article, 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 § 36-14, Stop-work orders, of this article, in any other section of this article, 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.
An action proceeding in the name of the Town may be commenced in any court of competent jurisdiction to compel compliance with or restrain violation of this article or orders or other Town laws issued in compliance with this article or any other local laws of this Town.
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 of occupancy/certificates 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 article.
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 article, 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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