Permits / Code Enforcement
The Town of Union has adopted the New York State Housing Maintenance
Code. The Code's purpose is to provide minimum standards governing
residential uses to safeguard the safety, health and welfare of the
occupants and users thereof.
Code Staff conducts inspections at the request of tenants of dwelling
units. If violations of the code exist, the property owner is cited and
given three to ten days to bring the property into conformance. If the
violation is not corrected, an appearance ticket is issued for the owner
to appear in Town Justice Court. The following are the most cited
sections of the code.
Selected Sections
1242.7 Interior protection.
(a) Structural members shall be protected and maintained to resist
and prevent deterioration.
(b) Unheated attics, spaces below flat roofs and crawl spaces shall be
ventilated, to minimize deterioration.
(c) Ceilings, walls, floors and stairways shall be maintained in a
safe and sound condition.
(d) Toilet room, bathroom and laundry room floors shall be maintained
in a watertight condition.
1242.8 Garbage and refuse.
(a) Adequate sanitary facilities and methods shall be used for the
collection, storage, handling and disposal of garbage and refuse.
(b) The accumulation or storage of garbage or refuse in public halls
or stairways shall be prohibited.
1242.9 Infestation.
Buildings and structures shall be maintained free of insect, vermin
and rodent harborage and infestation.
1242.10 Junk.
(a) Refrigerators, and similar equipment with locking mechanisms,
shall not be discarded, abandoned or stored on premises accessible to
children, without first removing the locking devices or the hinges of
the doors.
(b) Junked vehicles, equipment and materials shall not be stored in
open areas of premises.
1242.3 Exist.
(a) Safe, continuous and unobstructed exit shall be maintained from
the interior of a building or structure to the exterior at a street,
or to a yard, court or passageway leading to a public open area.
(b) Nothing shall be placed, accumulated or stored on residential
premises which obstructs egress from stairway, passageways, doors,
windows, fire escapes or other means of exit.
(c) In multiple dwellings, exits, including vestibules, stairways,
passageways, corridors and hallways, but excluding fire escapes, shall
be lighted with natural or electric light at all times, so as to
afford safe passage.
(d) Stairways shall have handrails on at least one side.
(e) Fire escapes shall be maintained free of encumbrances.
(f) Vending machines and other equipment or materials shall not be
located in lobbies, corridors or passageways if it constitutes a fire
hazard or interferes with the exit facilities.
1242.4 Exterior lighting.
Exterior artificial lighting shall be maintained in operating condition.
1242.5 Exterior protection.
(a) Exterior walls, including foundations, shall be maintained so that ground and surface water does not penetrate into basements and
cellars.
(b) Exterior doors, windows, skylights and similar openings shall be maintained weather tight.
(c) Exterior stairs, porches, entrance platforms, fire escapes and the railings thereon shall be maintained in a safe and sound condition.
(d) Roofs shall be maintained in a watertight condition.
(e) Exterior surfaces shall be maintained in good condition. Surfaces not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative.
(f) Heavy undergrowth and accumulations of plant growth which are noxious or detrimental to health or safety shall be eliminated.
PART 1245
RESPONSIBILITY OF OWNER, OPERATOR OR AGENT
(STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Executive Law, 375,377)
1245.1 Responsibility.
The owner, operator or agent in control of the building shall be responsible for the following:
(a) Limiting occupancy to the maximum number of persons permitted and prohibiting unlawful uses.
(b) Posting required statements of the maximum number of occupants permitted.
(c) Maintenance of the premises in a clean, safe and sanitary condition.
(d) Maintenance of the operation of service.
(e) Maintenance of plumbing, heating and electrical equipment and systems, appliances, fixtures, as well as other building equipment and facilities, in an appropriate, good operative, clean and sanitary condition.
(f) Maintenance of walls, floors and ceilings in public places in a clean and sanitary condition.
(g) Keeping exits free and clear.
(h) Disposing of garbage, refuse and junk in a safe and sanitary manner, and keeping the premises free and clear there from, and broom-clean; and
(i) Extermination of insects, vermin, rodents, pests, and elimination of harborage.
PART 1246
RESPONSIBILITY OF OCCUPANTS
1246.1 Responsibility.
With respect to that part of a building, which the occupant occupies, controls or uses, the occupant shall be responsible for the following:
(a) Occupancy limitations and its lawfully permitted use.
(b) Maintenance in a clean, safe and sanitary condition.
(c) Maintenance of plumbing, cooking and refrigeration equipment, appliances, fixtures and facilities, in a clean and sanitary condition, and providing reasonable care in the operation and use thereof.
(d) Keeping exits free and clear.
(e) Disposing of garbage and refuse into provided facilities in a sanitary manner, and keeping the premises free and clear therefrom; and
(f) Keeping domestic animals and pets in an appropriate manner and under control.
