Source: https://ecode360.com/13637081
Timestamp: 2018-10-19 10:02:51
Document Index: 581995968

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 10', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 156', '§ 807', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 100', '§ 382', '§ 382', 'art 1203']

City of Cortland, NY Building Construction and Fire Prevention
Ch 100 Art I Administration and Enforcement of Uniform Code
§ 100-1 Purpose; intent.
§ 100-3 Code Enforcement Officer; inspectors.
§ 100-4 Building permits.
§ 100-5 Construction inspections.
§ 100-6 Stop-work orders.
§ 100-7 Certificates of occupancy; certificates of compliance.
§ 100-8 Notification regarding fire or explosion.
§ 100-9 Unsafe buildings and structures.
§ 100-10 Operating permits.
§ 100-11 Firesafety and property maintenance inspections.
§ 100-12 Complaints.
§ 100-13 Recordkeeping.
§ 100-14 Program review and reporting.
§ 100-15 Enforcement; penalties for offenses.
§ 100-16 Fees.
§ 100-17 Intermunicipal agreements.
Chapter 100: Building Construction and Fire Prevention
Dangerous buildings — See Ch. 104.
Excavations — See Ch. 127.
Chapter 100 : Building Construction and Fire Prevention
Article I: Administration and Enforcement of Uniform Code
[Adopted 10-19-2010 by L.L. No. 4-2010[1]]
Editor's Note: This local law also superseded former Ch. 100, Building Construction and Fire Prevention, adopted 4-15-1986 by L.L. No. 1-1986 (Ch. 6A of the 1969 Code of Ordinances), as amended.
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 the City of Cortland. 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 § 100-4 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 building assembly or building set of units made up of various components that serve a specific function, including but not limited to interior/exterior walls, windows, doors, roofs, ceilings, floors, lighting, piping, ductwork, insulation, HVAC system equipment or components, electrical appliances, and plumbing appliances.
A certificate issued pursuant to subdivision (b) of section 7 of this article.
The City of Cortland.
The Director of Code Enforcement appointed pursuant to § 100-3B of this article.
Any code certified person acting under the supervision and direction of the Code Enforcement Officer as provided in § 100-3D of this article.
NOTICE OF VIOLATION/ORDER TO REMEDY
A compliance order issued by the Code Enforcement Officer pursuant to § 100-15A of this article.
A permit issued pursuant to § 100-10 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.
A freestanding solid-fuel-burning heating appliance manufactured and intended for outdoor use and which provides heat to a building on the same property.
An order issued pursuant to § 100-6 of this article.
A certificate issued pursuant to § 100-7D of this article.
The office of Director of Code Enforcement, hereinafter "Code Enforcement Officer," is hereby created. The Code Enforcement Officer shall administer and enforce all the provisions of the Uniform Code, the Energy Code and this article. The Code Enforcement Officer shall have the following powers and duties:
To issue orders pursuant to § 100-15A, Notice of violation; order to remedy, of this article;
To collect fees as set by the Common Council of this City;
In consultation with Corporation Counsel for the City, to pursue such legal actions and proceedings as may be necessary to enforce the Uniform Code, the Energy Code and this article, or to abate or correct conditions not in compliance with the Uniform Code, the Energy Code or this article; and
The Code Enforcement Officer shall be appointed pursuant to Article XVIII, § C18-1, of the Charter of the City of Cortland. 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 pursuant to Article XVIII, § C18-1, of the Charter of the City of Cortland 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.
Inspectors shall be assigned to the Code Enforcement Office by the Director of Code Enforcement, with additional support from code-certified shift personnel not directly assigned to the Code Enforcement Office. Inspectors not assigned to the Code Enforcement Office shall participate in code-related activities, primarily inspections of existing structures. All inspectors shall act under the supervision and direction of the Code Enforcement Office and shall 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.
An Electrical Inspector or approved electrical underwriting firm shall as well be certified to the minimum standard and provide the proper credentials and insurances prior to approval by the Code Enforcement Officer. The Electrical Inspector shall be designated according to Chapter 122 of the City Code of Ordinances.
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. Additionally, paving, repaving, striping and the alteration/enlargement of any driveway or parking area shall require a permit. 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. No permits shall be issued for the installation of solid-fuel-burning outdoor boiler units, nor any buildings or structures erected for the purpose of housing such units, since the use of such outdoor boiler units is prohibited.
Construction of retaining walls less than three feet in height unless such walls support a surcharge or impound Class I, II or IIIA liquids;
The removal or change of any required means of egress, or the rearrangement of parts of a structure in a manner that affects egress;
Applications for building permits. Applications for a building permit shall be made in writing on a form provided by or otherwise acceptable to the Code Enforcement Officer. The application shall be signed by the owner of the property, or an authorized agent of the owner, where the work is to be performed. The application shall include such information as the Code Enforcement Officer deems sufficient to permit a determination by the Code Enforcement Officer that the intended work complies with all applicable requirements of the Uniform Code and the Energy Code. The application shall include or be accompanied by the following information and documentation:
When applicable, a current, professional survey map of the property (any new building and structure, any alteration addition that modifies the footprint of the property);
When applicable, a statement of special inspections prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Code; and
Three sets of construction documents (drawings and/or specifications) which:
Construction documents. Construction documents will not be accepted as part of an application for a building permit unless they satisfy the requirements set forth in Subsection D(6) of this section. Construction documents which are accepted as part of the application for a building permit shall be marked as accepted by the Code Enforcement Officer in writing or by stamp. One set of the accepted construction documents shall be retained by the Code Enforcement Officer for the property file, a second set shall be forwarded to the Assessors Office, and a third set of the accepted construction documents shall be returned to the applicant to be kept at the work site so as to be available for use by the code enforcement personnel. However, the return of a set of accepted construction documents to the applicant shall not be construed as authorization to commence work or as an indication that a building permit will be issued. Work shall not be commenced until and unless a building permit is issued or emergency circumstances exist.
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 12 months after the date of issuance. Upon application by the permit holder, payment of the applicable fee, and approval of the application by the Code Enforcement Officer, the Code Enforcement Officer may renew a building permit which has become invalid or which has expired pursuant to this subsection.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 100-16, 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. The standard building permit fee shall be doubled for work which requires a permit and which commences prior to any approval having been issued by the Code Enforcement Office or for which a stop-work order has been issued. Additionally, any person found working without a permit over the weekend shall be subject to a fee increase of three times the standard rate.
Fees for professional services retained by the Code Enforcement Officer in the review of construction documents shall be the responsibility of the building permit applicant.
Truss-type identification.
[Added 5-2-2017 by L.L. No. 4-2017]
As a result of advanced technology, many building contractors are now using truss-type design. Incidences have shown that a hazard to firemen and first responders may exist. To eliminate this unacceptable hazard, the State of New York is now requiring buildings using this construction method to clearly identify it as a truss-type building to warn firefighters and first responders.
Truss structure identification.
Truss-type construction shall be identified by a sign or signs in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection M.
Signs shall be affixed where a building or a portion thereof is classified as Group A, B, E, F, H, I, M or S occupancy, and in hotels and motels classified as Group R-1 or R-2 occupancy, in accordance with the provisions for the classification of buildings per the IBC.
Signs shall be provided in newly constructed buildings that utilize truss-type construction and in existing buildings where an addition that extends or increases the floor area of the building utilizes truss-type construction. Signs shall be affixed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or a certificate of compliance. Where a sign is directly applied to a door or sidelight, it may be a permanent, nonfading sticker or decal. Signs not directly applied to doors or sidelights shall be of sturdy, nonfading, weather-resistant material.
Truss identification sign location and placement. When the sign location is:
Exterior building entrance doors, exterior exit discharge doors, and exterior roof access doors to a stairway, then the placement shall be attached to the door, or attached to a sidelight or the face of the building, not more than 12 inches (305 mm) horizontally from the latch side of the door jamb, and not less than 42 inches (1,067 mm) nor more than 60 inches (1,524 mm) above the adjoining walking surface.
Multiple contiguous exterior building entrance or exit discharge doors, the placement shall be attached at each end of the row of doors and at a maximum horizontal distance of 12 feet (3.65 m) between signs, and not less than 42 inches (1,067 mm) nor more than 60 inches (1,524 mm) above the adjoining walking surface.
Fire Department hose connections, the placement shall be attached to the face of the building, not more than 12 inches (305 mm) horizontally from the center line of the Fire Department hose connection, and not less than 42 inches (1,067 mm) nor more than 60 inches (1,524 mm) above the adjoining walking surface.
Any person utilizing truss-type, pre-engineered wood or timber construction for the erection of any new residential structure, for any addition to an existing residential structure, or for any rehabilitation of an existing residential structure shall, upon application for a building permit with the City of Cortland, include on the permit application that truss-type, pre-engineered wood or timber construction is being utilized and that the property owner or the property owner's representative shall complete a form designating the structure as truss-type, pre-engineered wood or timber construction and file such form with the application for a building permit. As a condition of the final receipt of a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion, a sign or symbol shall be affixed to any electric box attached to the exterior of the structure, if such an electric box exists. This section prescribes:
The form to be used by the property owner or property owner's representative to designate a residential structure as truss-type, pre-engineered wood or timber construction; and
The sign or symbol to be affixed to the exterior electric box, if any, of a residential building that utilizes truss-type, pre-engineered wood and/or timber construction.
An extension or increase in floor area or height of a residential structure.
The City of Cortland Code Enforcement Office/Fire Department, which is responsible for administration and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code with respect to the subject residential structure.
The box, if any, mounted on the exterior of the residential structure at the point of connection between the facilities of the serving utility and the premises wiring.
A residential structure that is already in existence at the time an addition or rehabilitation is commenced, without regard to the date of original construction of the residential structure.
The 2015 New York State Building Code (International Building Code, as amended by the 2016 Uniform Code Supplement).
The 2015 New York State Residential Code (International Residential Code, as amended by the 2016 Uniform Code Supplement).
A residential structure constructed on or after January 1, 2015. For the purposes of this definition, the date of construction of a residential structure shall be deemed to be the date of completion of the original construction of such residential structure, and a residential structure shall be deemed to be a new residential structure if the original construction of such residential structure:
Was commenced on or after January 1, 2015; or
Was commenced prior to January 1, 2015, and was not completed prior to January 1, 2015.
PRE-ENGINEERED WOOD CONSTRUCTION
Construction that uses, for any load-supporting purpose(s), girders, beams, or joists made using wood components (or wood-based components) that are bonded together with adhesives (including, but not limited to, prefabricated wood I-joists, structural glued laminated timbers, structural log members, structural composite lumber, and cross-laminated timber).
Any repair, renovation, alteration or reconstruction work undertaken in an existing residential building.
Includes one-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhouses (as those terms are defined in the IRC), and structures or portions of structures classified as Residential Group R in accordance with the IBC (excluding, however, hotels and motels which are classified as Group R-1 or R-2 occupancy in accordance with the IBC).
Construction that uses, for any load-supporting purpose(s), solid or laminated wood having the minimum dimensions required for structures built using Type IV construction (HT) in accordance with the IBC.
Construction that uses, for any load-supporting purpose(s), a fabricated structure of wood or steel, made up of a series of members connected at their ends to form a series of triangles to span a distance greater than would be possible with any of the individual members on their own. Truss-type construction shall not include:
Individual wind or seismic bracing components which form triangles when diagonally connected to the main structural system; or
Structural components that utilize solid plate web members.
Notice. When truss-type construction, pre-engineered wood construction, and/or timber construction is to be utilized in the construction of a new residential structure or in an addition to or rehabilitation of an existing residential structure, the owner of such structure, or the owner's duly authorized representative, shall notify the City of Cortland Code Enforcement Office of that fact. Such notice shall be in writing and shall be provided with the application for a building permit. In the case of a construction, addition or rehabilitation project commenced prior to January 1, 2015, and not completed prior to January 1, 2015, such notice shall be given as soon as practicable after January 1, 2015, and in any event prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance for such project. The form to be used to give the notice required by this subsection shall be provided to the applicant by the City of Cortland Code Enforcement Office.
Sign or symbol identification.
When truss-type construction, pre-engineered wood construction, and/or timber construction is utilized in the construction of a new residential structure or in an addition to or rehabilitation of an existing residential structure, such residential structure shall be identified by a sign or symbol.
The sign or symbol shall be:
Affixed to the electric box attached to the exterior of the residential structure or shall be affixed to the exterior wall of the residential structure at a point immediately adjacent to the electric box if affixing the sign or symbol to the electric box would obscure any meter on the electric box, or if the utility providing electric service to the residential structure does not allow the sign or symbol to be affixed to the electric box.
If no electric box is attached to the exterior of the residential structure or if the electric box attached to the exterior of the building is not located in a place likely to be seen by firefighters or other first responders responding to a fire or other emergency at the residential structure, the sign or symbol shall be affixed to the exterior of the residential structure in a location approved by the City of Cortland Code Enforcement Office/Fire Department.
Affixed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or a certificate of compliance. The City shall not issue a certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance until the required sign or symbol is affixed.
The property owner shall be responsible for maintaining the sign or symbol and shall promptly replace any such sign or symbol that is affixed to an electric box when any change or modification is made to such electric box. The property owner shall promptly replace the sign or symbol if such sign or symbol is removed or becomes damaged, faded, worn or otherwise less conspicuous to firefighters or other first responders responding to a fire or other emergency at the residential structure. The property owner shall keep the area in the vicinity of the sign or symbol required by this subsection clear of all plants, vegetation, and other obstructions that may hide or obscure such sign or symbol or otherwise cause such sign or symbol to be less conspicuous to firefighters or other first responders responding to a fire or other emergency at the residential structure.
The sign or symbol indicating the utilization of truss-type construction, pre-engineered wood construction and/or timber construction shall comply with the requirements of this subsection:
The sign or symbol shall consist of a circle six inches (152.4 mm) in diameter, with a stroke width of 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). The background of the sign or symbol shall be reflective white in color. The circle and contents shall be reflective red in color, conforming to Pantone matching system (PMS) #187.
The sign or symbol shall be of sturdy, nonfading, weather-resistant material; provided, however, that a sign or symbol applied directly to a door or sidelight may be a permanent, nonfading sticker or decal.
The sign or symbol shall contain an alphabetic construction type designation to indicate the construction type of the residential structure, as follows:
If the residential structure is subject to the provisions of the IRC, the construction type designation shall be "V"; and
If the residential structure is subject to the provisions of the IBC, the construction type designation shall be "I," "II," "III," "IV" or "V" to indicate the construction classification of the structure per the IBC.
The sign or symbol shall contain an alphabetic location designation to indicate the locations(s) containing truss-type construction, pre-engineered wood construction and/or timber construction structural components, as follows:
"F" shall mean floor framing, including girders and beams;
"R" shall mean roof framing; and
"FR" shall mean floor framing and roof framing.
The construction type designation shall be placed at the 12:00 position of the sign or symbol, over the location designation, which shall be placed at the 6:00 position of the sign or symbol.
Footing and foundation (including post or pier excavations);
Building systems, i.e., electrical, plumbing, etc., including underground and rough-in;
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 100-16, Fees, of this article must be paid prior to or at the time of each inspection performed pursuant to this section.
Fees for professional services retained by the Code Enforcement Officer for special inspections related to construction inspections shall be the responsibility of the building permit applicant.
Content of stop-work orders. Stop-work orders shall be in writing, shall be dated and signed by the Code Enforcement Officer, shall state the reason or reasons for issuance and, if applicable, shall state the conditions which must be satisfied before work will be permitted to resume.
Effect of stop-work order. Upon the issuance of a stop-work order, the owner of the affected property, the permit holder and any other person performing, taking part in or assisting in the work shall immediately cease all work, which is the subject 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 § 100-15, 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.
Any special conditions imposed in connection with the issuance of the building permit or this certificate of occupancy; and
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; that all required means of egress from the building or structure are safely operational; and that a satisfactory electrical inspection has been performed. 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 one month, 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 § 100-16, 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 Fire Chief of The City of Cortland City 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 City shall be identified and addressed in accordance with the procedures established in Chapter 104 of the Code of the City of Cortland as now in effect.
Use of pyrotechnic devices (indoor or outdoor) within the City limits;
Buildings or structures containing one or more areas of public assembly with an occupant load of 100 persons or more;
Buildings whose use or occupancy classification may pose a substantial potential hazard to public safety, as determined by resolution adopted by the Common Council of this City.
Temporary or permanent installation of LP gas storage containers, indoors or outdoors, exceeding 24 pounds' water capacity (10.8 kg).
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.
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 100-16, 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.
[Amended 4-5-2011 by Res. No. 67-2011]
Inspections required. The Code Enforcement Officer, or an inspector designated by the Code Enforcement Officer, shall perform firesafety and property maintenance inspections of buildings and structures at the following intervals:
Firesafety and property maintenance inspections of buildings or structures being occupied as dormitories, fraternities, sororities, rooming houses, boardinghouses, hotels and motels shall be performed at least once every 12 months.
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.
A person subject to inspection under § 100-11 may be required by the Code Enforcement Officer to have such inspection performed at his own cost and expense by a competent inspector acceptable to the Code Enforcement Officer. Such inspector may be a registered architect, licensed professional engineer, certified code enforcement officer or other certified individual whose experience, training and credentials meet or exceed the minimums required by the State of New York and have been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Code Enforcement Officer. Such inspector shall certify the results of his inspection to the Code Enforcement Officer. Any person required by the Code Enforcement Officer to have an inspection performed at his own cost and expense shall not be assessed the inspection fees otherwise prescribed in this chapter.
OFPC inspections. Nothing in this section or in any other provision of this article 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, and unless by an invitation from the State of New York:
Fee. The fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 100-16, Fees, of this article shall be invoiced to the business owner and/or property owner as applicable. Thereupon, the Department of Code Enforcement shall mail an invoice to said owner or operator to pay such cost, which shall become due and payable within 30 days from the mailing. If such cost is not paid within such time and interest is not paid by December 31 of the year in which it is incurred, such cost and interest, with an administrative fee of $25, shall be added to the City tax chargeable to said property and shall be collected in the manner as any unpaid City tax. This subsection shall not apply to inspections performed by OFPC.
Appeal. Should the business owner and/or property owner, as applicable, dispute the proper implementation of the fee, an appeal to the City Corporation Counsel's office may be taken within 30 days of the mailing of the invoice notifying the business owner and/or property owner, as applicable, of the imposition of said fee. The appeal application may be obtained from the Code Enforcement office and submitted thereto. The Corporation Counsel shall render a decision upon said appeal within 30 days of receipt thereof; failure to so render a decision will result in the fee being vacated. Upon an adverse decision to a business owner and/or property owner, as applicable, said business owner and/or property owner, as applicable, may commence a judicial appeal to the Cortland City Court for final review.
If a violation is found to exist, providing the owner of the affected property and any other person who may be responsible for the violation with notice of the violation and opportunity to abate, correct or cure the violation, or otherwise proceeding in the manner described in § 100-15, Enforcement; penalties for offenses, of this article;
Fee. A fee shall be assessed to a property where three or more complaints have been received by the Code Enforcement Office within any twelve-month period. Any fee specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 100-16, Fees, of this article shall be invoiced to the business owner and/or property owner as applicable.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall keep permanent official records of all transactions and activities conducted by all code enforcement personnel as mandated by the New York State Archives Record Retention and Disposition Schedule MU-1. These include but are not limited to records of:
All other features and activities specified in or contemplated by §§ 100-4 through 100-12, inclusive, of this article; and
The Code Enforcement Officer shall annually submit to the Common Council of this City 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 § 100-13, Recordkeeping, of this article and a report and summary of all appeals or litigation pending or concluded.
Notice of violation; order to remedy.
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 notice of violation/order to remedy. The notice of violation/order to remedy shall:
Be dated and signed by the Code Enforcement Officer or his designee;
The Code Enforcement Officer shall cause the notice of violation/order to remedy, 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 notice of violation/order to remedy, 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 notice of violation/order to remedy.
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 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 City.
Injunctive relief. An action or proceeding may be instituted in the name of this City, 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, notice of violation/order to remedy, 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, notice of violation/order to remedy 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 City, 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 subdivision shall be commenced without the appropriate authorization from the Mayor of this City.
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 § 100-6, 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 § 100-6, 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.
A fee schedule shall be established by resolution of the Common Council of this City. 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.[1]
Editor's Note: Said fee schedule is on file in the City offices.
The Common Council of this City may, by resolution, authorize the Mayor of this City to enter into an agreement, in the name of this City, 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.