Long Island, New York City and the Bronx Code Compliance Program's main goals are to ensure the quality of life is maintained throughout the community. This program exists not to punish individual property owners, but to maintain the greater good of our community by achieving the compliance with adopted codes. This approach works pro-actively and aggressively in resolving Long Island, New York City and Bronx Town Code Violations.

Long Island, New York City and the Bronx have many codes involving complex technical and sometimes legal issues which may lead to questions by residents and business entities and that is where the New York law firm of Vladimir and Associates can help. The following information will answer a few of the most frequently asked questions about code enforcement in our community.

How Codes are Enforced

The code compliance process is initiated in several ways:

• Observation of a Long Island, Bronx or NYC town code violation by staff as they patrol the community.
• As a consequence of an action, (e.g., an application for a building permit or a request for a zoning variance).
• In response to a complaint by an individual.
• Town codes to promote quality of life
• Garbage, trash, appliances, car parts, etc.

Accumulating garbage, trash, appliances, car parts, old furniture, recyclable and scrap materials are public nuisances. In no circumstances whatsoever can these items be stored outside of a fully enclosed area. Property must be kept tidy not only to maintain an attractive environment, but also to reduce fire, rodent and wildlife problems in our beautiful New York and Long Island areas.

Illegal Dumping

Anyone caught dumping trash in public or private places, or putting anything into storm drains, will be prosecuted if the following information is available: Eyewitness testimony, plus either the name and address of the dumper (if known), or a vehicle license plate number and a physical description of the dumper and this person can be later identified. Dumping is a particular problem in easements that run along the rear property lines in many New York City, Bronx and Long Island neighborhoods.

Weeds

Landscaping overgrowth is unsightly. It also creates fire hazards. If you have a lawn, keep it less than 4" high. Other ground covers should be kept free of weeds. Though the Town discourages ivy because it provides cover for rodents, well watered and maintained ivy or other ground covers can be an attractive alternative to a traditional lawn, with less maintenance and water usage.

Trash Cans

Trash cans should be stored out of sight. The only day that trash and recycling containers should be outside is on pickup day. In high wind areas, contact the garbage company about ways to weigh down containers.

Graffiti

Nothing blights our beautiful New York City, Bronx and Long Island neighborhoods like graffiti. The only way to discourage future graffiti is to paint it out immediately. If you are unable to do so, the Town can paint it for you. You are encouraged to talk to merchants about graffiti on their property.

Building Code Violations

While New York City, Bronx and Long Island building code officials, designers and contractors work as a team to build the safest homes and buildings possible, a new survey identifies the most commonly found building code violations are within Suffolk and Nassau counties.

In newer homes, consumers should look for structural and framing problems, and make sure grading, foundation, footings and fire blocking have passed inspection.

The most common code violations found in new homes, according to the survey, relate to structural issues and wood framing. The problems ranged from inadequate fastening to improperly sized beams, studs and floor joists.

Similar problems were identified in existing homes along with electrical and fire safety dangers in New York City, Bronx and Long Island, according to the more than 400 code officials across the country who participated in the survey. Potential dangers with stairs and handrails also surfaced in new and existing homes. One concern is improper construction of handrails where the spacing between spindles is so wide that infants can get their heads caught, or fall through the opening.

"We should never be satisfied when it comes to safety," said International Code Council CEO James Lee Witt, former Director of the Federal Emergency Management Association. "Our objective is to improve public safety by alerting consumers to possible dangers with the hope that an educated consumer will ask their local code officials, designers and contractors the right questions that will lead to the safest structures possible."

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.

The Council's nationwide survey is preliminary research for a comprehensive national survey-a joint venture with the National Association of Home Builders - to examine ways to improve building safety in New York.

Inspections during construction identify and require correction of building safety and fire prevention code violations.

Dangerous, but easily corrected, New York City, Bronx and Long Island building code violations identified by the survey in existing homes are broken or improperly installed smoke detectors. The survey also identified electrical problems, most notably shorted or dead outlets and missing electrical junction box covers, as dangers to look for in existing homes.

Rental Code Violations

Bronx and Long Island Owners/Managers of rental property must obtain a rental permit from the Health Department prior to the dwelling unit being occupied unless the unit has been inspected by Section 8, Elderly Subsidized Housing, and it does not have any cited violations outstanding or could possibly face a rental code violation in New York City, Bronx and Long Island. This is a local regulation that was adopted by the Board of Health to ensure that tenants are moving into housing that meets the Minimum Standard of Fitness For Human Habitation as defined in the State Sanitary Code.

Suffolk and Nassau county Owners and Managers who fail to obtain a rental permit prior to renting a dwelling unit are liable for a code violation fine for each and every day that unit is occupied without the permit, per New York rental code violations.

Multi Family Code Violations

Building codes save lives. For the safety of workers, residents, families in a building or home, and for the first-responders who rush in when everyone else is rushing out, these codes must be followed and enforced, or you could face large fines due to New York City, Bronx and Long Island multi family code violations.

Property owners will be issued a notice listing specific code violations found in each unit, as well as any exterior code violations. The notice will provide a specified time period in which the violations are to be corrected. The New York City, Bronx and Long Island inspectors are available to answer any questions regarding the required repairs. The property owner or owner's designee may have to help them successfully complete repairs. The inspector will return on the stated correction date and re-inspect the property to verify compliance.

If, upon re-inspection, the property owner has not complied with the notice, then the City or Town will initiate code enforcement action. The purpose of the enforcement action is to ensure that the property is brought into compliance. Typical enforcement action includes, but is not limited to, assessment of administrative citations, charging of re-inspection fees, and actual abatement of the violation(s) by a contractor hired by the City or Town. All costs for abatement is billed to the property owner. Clearly, it is in the property owner's best interest to correct all of the violations within the specific time frames listed on any notice issued, this is where the New York City, Bronx and Long Island law firm of Vladimir and Associates can help you out.

Our mission is to provide high quality legal representation at reasonable fees.

Consulting an attorney for the best course of action is the wisest choice.

Vladimir & Associates understands the law and your rights. Contact us today.