HomeMy WebLinkAboutLocal Law DRAFT - Detailing Administration and Enforcement of Building and Fire Prevention Codes in VCH.PDFVILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
LOCAL LAW NO. OF TFIE YEAR 2OO4
A Local Law detailing administration and enforcement of building and fire prevention
codes in the Village of Cayuga Heights.
WHEREAS, Section 381 of the Executive Law of the State of New York provid.es that
the New York Secretary of State shall issue rules and regulations for implementation of the
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code ("the Uniform Code") within this state, and
WHEREAS, Subdivision 2 of said Section 381 of the Executive Law requires, with
certain exceptions, every locai government to administer and enforce the Uniform Code, and
WHEREAS, Title 19 of the New York Code of Rules and Regulations sets forth the
minimum standards for such administration and enforcement in Part 1203 of said Title 19, which
maybe implemented by local law enacted by a 1ocal government,
NOW THEREFORE.
BE IT ENACTED by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cayuga Heights, County of
'Iomplcins, State of New York a new Article to its compilation of Ordinances and Local Laws, as
follows:
Articie XV - Code Enforcement and Administration
section 1. Designation of code Enforcement officer as Public official
There is hereby d.esignated in the Village of Cayuga Heights a public official to be known
as the Code Enforcement Officer who shal1 also be the Building Commissioner, and who shall be
appointed by the Mayor with the approvai of the Board of Trustees at a compensation to be fixed
by it.
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. It is the intent of this provision to prohibit impropriety and the appearance
of impropriety.
Section 7. Review Board
(a) Where practicable difficulties or unnecessary hardship may result from
enforcement of the strict letter of any provision of the Uniform Code, applications for variances
consistent with the spirit of the Code maybe made to the Regional Board of Review in
accordance with Part 1205 of Title 19 of the New York Code of Rules and Regulations entitled
"Uniform Code: Variance Procedures" as promulgated by the New York Department of State.
The Code Enforcement Officer shall maintain a copy of such rules and regulations for public
inspection and shal1 obtain and retain a copy of all decisions rendered by the Regional Board of
Review of special interest andlorpertaining to matters affecting the Village of Cayuga Heights.
(b) Where practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship may result from enforcement
of the skict letter of any provision of this Local Law or any ru|e or regulation hereunder which
provision is not required by the Uniform Code, applications for variances and appeals, consistent
with the spirit of such law, rule or regulations,fray be made to the Village ZontngBoard of
Appeals.
Section 8. Building Permit
No person, firm, corporation, association or other otganization shall commence the
erection, construction, enlargement, alteration, improvement, removal or demolition of any
building or structure, exeep$*u+-agrle*1+u**i{+*itrr4ing-orstr*rc$*re1 nor install heating equipment,
without having applied for and obtained apermit from the Code Enforcement Officer" No pennit
shall be required for the performance of necessary repairs which do not involve material
alterationpl:gplgyg! of (.Llstructural features, (?) aUyrqqpire4:nqa,nq..pf effe..sg_{1) a f,r-q
protection system for any period of time andlor (4i plumbing, electrical or heating/ventilation
systems, $pch rep-Fils- including, for example, the replacement of siding and roofing materials,
nor for the erection of fences which are not part of an enclosure sun'ouncJing a swimming poal,
nor for the construction of
.residential dwellings, such as storage facilities, of less thanl40 square feet of gross floor area.
;Such work shall nevertheless be done in conformance with the Uniform Code.
lSection 9. General Permitting Procedures
The Code Enforcement Officer shall receive applications, approve plans and
specifications, and issue permits for the erection and alteration of buildings or structures or parts
thereof as detailed in the previous section and shall examine the premises for which such
zrpplications have been received, plans approved, or such permits have been issued for the
purpose or insuring compliance with 1aws, ordinances, ru1es and regulations governing building
c;onstruction or alterations.
' INO-TE: Thi.€ exemptio. n l9 NOJ liste.d in 19-.-NYCR.F P.afi 12.j3 (as*revis.ed). .i,yhich sets:the minjtrrum
ltandards for enforcement of the Uniform Code; this exempiion was nplLspgqilica!]l'listed in the prior
lerslon of 19 NYCRR Part 1203; however that version did staie "Exceptions to the requirement for
! uildinQ germits mav be allowed for:. .. (3) small noncommercial structures not indented for use bv one *r
flore persenqas euarters for livinq, sleepinq. eatinq or cookinq, for example. a smallglqElqe building.
I'here is an exemption for'lnonresidentialfarm buiidinqs" in 19 NYCRR 1202.2; however this portion?
lhe requlatisns sets ihe procedures to be followed bv the $ecretarv of Staie when the individual
$uniQipQlity and. ppunty..h"eve b,o"lb op"!e-d out..pl enforqin.g the.U-nform.Qode fql.lbemeetvqq.._.[Therclgre.it
1ii not applic-able to the VlUgge of Cay,Uga Heiqhts).
The application for a building permit, and its accompanying documents, shall contain
sufficient information to permit a determination that the intended work accords with the
requirements of the Uniform Code.
The form of the permit and application therefore shali be prescribed by resolution of the
viilage Board of rrustees' The application shall be signed by the owner (or his authonzed,agent)
of the building or property on which the work is to be done and shall contain at least the
following:
1) name and address of the owner;
2) identification andlor description of the land on which the work is to be done.
including tax parcei nglnbe.r;
3) description of use or occupancy of the land and existing or proposed building;
4) description of the proposed work;
5) estimated cost of the proposed work;
6) statement that the work shall be performed in compliance with the uniform code
and applicable state and rocal raws, ordinances and regulations;
7) At least 2 sets of construction documents idrawings andlor speoifications) that
dgfilp the c{ipe of tjrc propcs-ed wcrk- Such.construction d.o.p_lHients shall &g_gJ.Lhe folloulitlg
requirements:
-.... .... . . .- -{*a) are"$Legarqfl by A Ne_r,v York Statp".fggistere.d archilgct or licen{gql
professional engineer where so required by the Eclucatio! Law:
(c.) sLibstantiate that the proposed work rvi1l cr:mplywith the {Jniform
Code and the State Energ)'Conservation Constmction Code.
(d) $,here appJicable. include a site plan that shows any exigtins and
ploposed str*qtures on the site. the lo-cation of any existing or proposed well or septic system- the
location of the iejended-work. andjhe distances befween the structures and the iot liries.
B) required fee.
it*gcreen+'-epplicant may confer with the Code Enforcement Officer in advance of submitting his
application to discuss the Code Enforcement Officer's requirements for same.
A builclinq pery:it willbe issued wheir the applicaiioir has been determined to be
ponrplete, wlen the proposed work is determined to confCIrm to the provisions of the Unifom:
,Cocle" if applicable. ancl u'hen the Code Enfarcernent Officer has determined that the p$posed
.work is in. comlrliance with. the Zoning _Orclinanqe of the Viilage. .Provisions shal1 be made for
t;onstrriptioq docuqreqts acgopted as pafi of a pennit appiicatian to be so marked in writing cr by
jitamp. The Cocle Enforcement Officer shall retain one set of accepted construction documents.
irnd one set shall be retumed to the applicant to be kept at the worh site so as to be available for
adj acent thoro u qhfares. if possible.
ft e B.Ur ldirlg fe. r&tt"rhd
Aqrplicant shall notify the code Enforcement officer in writing of any pertinent changes in the
information contained in the application during the period for which the permit is in effect.
Failure to do so shall in and of itself effect revocation of the permit previously issued.
A building permit issued pursuant to this Local Law maybe suspended or revoked if it is
determined that the work to which it pertains is not proceeding in conformance with the Uniform
code or with any condition attached to such permit, or if there has been:&e_i$giglr*
misrepresentation or falsification of amateialfact in connection with the application for the
permit.
A building permit issued pursuant to this Local Law shall expire one (1) year from the
date of issuance or upon the issuance of a certificate of occupancy (other than atemporary
certificate of occupancy), whichever occurs first. The permit may, upon written request, be
renewed for successive one-year periods provided that:
1) the permit has not been revoked or suspend.ed at the time the application for
renewal is made.
2) the relevant information in the application is up to d.ate, and
3) the renewal fee is paid.
a'1d attg.pt*d by tl* C..gd* Etfbtt"*.ln*.nJ O-ffir"r. P.mri,t hoi-d*r., uhuli b* r..gujlerl tp aotj."fy.thg
Cade Enforcement Officer y*hen conskuction work is reacly for inspqction.
(,?) P:rcvis-ions shall-be maclejbr jnspection
-of tJre follolyjng elelneJrts of.the
r;onstruction process" where applicable :
(ii) footins and foundajion:
iiii) pfepar#io, rl lpr_qo$crete Olab;
{lvi fi'amine:
(vi) fire resistant construction;
(v_ii) fi re re$istaq.t p gteJratjons ;
(r'iiii solid furel burninq heating appliances. chimne]rs. flues or gas vents:
fjx) ene.rg.v co_de complian.cel aAd
{x) a fiaal insFection after ali rvork authorized by the building permii has been
ccmplets:d..
- f3) Afler inslJeetion. the work or a portion thereof shall be ngted as satisfactorv as
c
Unifom Code' Conslruction wark not in compliance with cocle provisions shall be required ta
tg
be:en faund satisfactorlu as completed.
Serction 10" eefiificates of Occupancy
(a) No building hereafter erected. enlarsed. qxlend
-o_f a lruilding.pen_:niJ shall be used or occupied irr
whole or in part until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued. by the Code Enforcement
Officer.
&nmore-+ha*r€{-}dal@e*eF+he--*1te}atian*€r-vi'or{+un"les$-r}-e€sti${i*te€{
(sO No change shall be made in the occupancy of an existing building unless a
certi{icate of occupancy authorizing such change shall have been issued.
(dO When, after final inspection, it is found that the proposed work has been
completed in accordance with the applicable iaws, ordinances, rules or regulations, and also in
accordance with the application, the Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a certificate of
occupancy. if it is found the proposed work has not been properly completed., the Code
Enforcement Officer shall not issue a certificate of occupancy and shall order the work
completed immediately in conformitywith the building permit and in conformitywith the
applicable building regulations.
(.) A certificate of occupancy shall be issued, where appropriate, within thirty days
after written application therefore is made.
(0 The certificate of occupancy shall acknowledge that the work has been completed,
andthat the proposed use and occupancy is in conformity with the provisions of the applicable
laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, and
te*+&ie"lr-the#tri.k1ir*gor+x,r*e$re-+r-its-$eveF*i-par{s-flq*+trbepuf-t+*se-.gh4$ sgg1aiq.th€
fo.ll owin g inform ati on:
(i) the buildingpermit number" if anv:
fii) the.d_ate_"o-f iss.lAnce ot.-the permit, iJ: any:
(iii) the name" address and. tax map number of the property:
(iv) if the certificaie is-not.applicablQ to an entire stErcture, a descflplion _ojthat
portion of the structure for which the certificate is issLred;
(.v) tle use g.nrl -o_cgupancy.c.lassific_ati.o$ pf the.s_t$cture;
('u'i) the tvpe of construction of the structure;
{r'ii.).the ass-elnbly gQgupant- l.oad of the str.ucture, if an}i;
(viii) if an automal.ic sprinkler system is provided" a notation as io lvhether the
splirlkler $yste.m is reqpire-d;
(ix) anv special conditions impcsed in connection with the issuance of the
b_uilding penn.iliand
(x) the signalure of the official issuing the cefificaie and the d.ate of issuance.
(g) Upon request, the Code Enforcement Officer may issue atemporary certificate of
occupancy for building or structure, or part thereof, before the entire work covered by the
lluilding permit shall have been completed provided such portions as have been completed fl-)
:nay be occupied safely without endangering iife or the public health and welfare-{Z} }rayg
srpe[ationai .fife and,smo]<e detec.t:ng andlo.r'$,rg-pI_oteclic.rl.eqglpffienLgld {3i atl req-qired mea$g
pf egress have been provided. A temporary certificate of occupancy shall remain effective for the
period stated therein which shall not exceed six months from its date of issuance, sgdlhging
rvhich tirne the holder undertake to bri ure into full
fOc causes and in unusual
a maximum of twosituations the code Enforcement of{icer in his sole discretion may allow
extensions for periods not exceeding six months each.
(h) After completion of work requiring a building permit hereund,er where issuance of'
a Cet1tiftcate of Occupancy is not appropriate, the Code Enforcement Officer shall issue instead a
Certi{icate of S atisfactory Completion.
(i) A cerlificate of occuPancv issued in error or cn the basis af incort*.t infbrrnurion
Section l l.
(a) Any and all areas of public assembly and al1 dcrmitarlr buildings shali be
inspected at least once each calendar year for the purpose of determining compliance with fire
safety requirements of the Code. Said inspections shall be completed by the code Enforcement
Officer prior to November 30th of each year.
(b) All dweiling units in a building consisting of more than two such units and the
conlmon areas of such building such as halls, foyers, staircases, etc., shall be inspected for the
purpose of determining compliance with fire safetyrequirements of the Uniform Code at least
once in each odd-number-ending calendar year (e.g., 2003). said inspections shall be completed
by the code Enforcement officer prior to November 30th of each year.
(c) A11 other buildings, uses and occupancies, other than public assembly and one or
two family dwelling units, shall be inspected once in each even-number-ending carendar year
(e'g',2004)' Said inspections shall be completed by the Code Enforcement officer prior to
November 30th of each year. (Inspections under this Local Law of one or two family dwelling
units shall not be required.)
(d) An inspection of building or dwelling unit sha11 be performed at any other time
upon
(1) the request of owner or authorized agent,
(2) receipt of a written statement specifying grounds upon which the
subscriber believes a vioiation of the Uniform Code exists or
(3) other reasonable and reliable information that such violation exists.
l3ection 11.1 Operating Permits
those listecl in Tables 2703.1.1(1)" 2703.1.1(2), 2703.i.1(3) or 2703.1.1i4)" of the Fire Code of
lrrerv__YorkS_tate-tbee_'1_9NYCRRPart.J225l_;
- fb) hazardous processes and activities, including but nat iimited to. commercial
pmd rvaste handling;
_ __ _ fS) usq_qf plirotgghqic 4gr.'ices in assemUy ocQr4lanc-igs:
!r?d gf_19! pe{s.pns or more;._and
* (e) builclings whose use or occupancy classifisation mav pose a substantial
its shall be
gccountable for administration and enforcement of the uniform cocle.
(2) Parties who propose to underlake the types of activities or operate the t)4res of
buj.ld-ings list-ed j.,4 p-a.ragrapll-(J) of this sub4ivisio[sha]J be requirgd to__obt_ain an__gperati.ng
Permit prior to commencing sr,rch operation. An application for an operating pemrit shall contain
sqffi,pigpt iqfprmatiprlto pq.r.mit a d.pler:lti$lation tlta! qua"njitjes.rnateria.ls. +.Rllaq.i.tyitiqp corlfor:nr
to the l'eguiroments of the lJniform Code. Tests or reports necessary to veritv confomrance shall
b,qtp.quired.
{3} An inspection of the prernises shall be conductecl prior to the issLrance- qf an
o_p. _p,rati n g g_el:m i !.
(4) A sinqle orerating permit may apply to more than oue hazardous activity.
" (5) . Operati.Ug pe.fmi-t-s ma)'rer;rlait in e.$ect u.ntil reisslrccl" _rene:algd oJ reyohed_or".,mav
be issued for a specified period of time ccnsistent wttir iocal conclitiorrs.
. -- (5)-- " Where activitiqs -dogot cpmply wtih ?.pplicabl-e-provisir,:ns o_f_the--LIni:bn:n C-gdLg
an operatins permit shall be revoked or suspjnded.
$pstiqq 1i.?. - Uns-a& PuiJdiagp arld"-Stluslureq
ALTERNATIVE i: Unsarfe structures and equipment in this Village shall be identi{ied
atrd addless-e-d in-accor.dance lvith thg plpcsdp{es esta,l?1ish..ed bv l-,ocal L,arv N.umber | _*gf -_*
l" as now in effect or as hereafter amendeiJ fron time to time.
ALTERNATIvE_Z: Ussaf* strrctores anr equtpneu._t_iq th,iq_yjuag.p slralLbeideqlified
and addressed in accordanqe with the follorving procedures lspecif.yproceduresl.
The chief of the fire deparlment provicling fire fightins seryices for a propert:,/ wirhin ihe
V-jl4sf s.h811Pr:onrp"tlv-nolifr lhe Code Enforce.nrqnt O-ffigqr.gf a.ny.Jire or exglqsio:ai:nv_olvi:ng
anv strLrcturai clamage" fuel burning appliance. chimney or gas vent
Section i2. Depaftment Recordsl4d Reports
(a) The Code Enforcement Officer shall keep permanent official records of all
transactions and activities conducted by him including all applications received, plans approved
or :leniqd, permits and certificates issued, compl&ijrjs teceived. fees charged and collected,
inspection reports, all rules and regulations promulgated by the municipality, and notices and
orders issued. A11 such reports shall be public information open to the public inspection during
norrnal business hours.
(b) The Code Enforcement Officer shal1 annually submit to the Village Board of
Irustees a written report of all business conducted, and more frequently upon request"
{g) _ The Codg E$fotcein_e,nJ Qffper shalj annually sgbilrit-to the:gecrgtarycf State-en
a form provided by the Secretarl of State. a report of the activities of the Viliage reiative to
administtation a$d .en-forcernenlof .the U.qifcr:r! Qgde.
(d) Upon request of the Department of State. the Code Enforcement Officer shall
pro_yide i'om the re_coIds at{r:elateql_$lpte{i-a1_s. e4cqrpts, sgffima_r_ies. tab_}il_atipns, statisiics a.nti
other information and accounts of its activities in connection with administratir:n and
enfbrcement of the Unifomr Code.
Section 13. Stop Orders
Whenever the Code Enforcement Officer has reasonable grounds to believe that work on
any building or structure is being performed in violation of the provisions of the New York State
Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code or applicable 1aws, ordinances or regulations, or not
in conformity with the provisions of an application, plans or specifications on the basis of which
a building permit was issued, or in an unsafe malrner and dangerous manner, he sha11 notify the
owner of the property, €rand the owner's agent , to suspend all worh and issue a Stop Work
Order. Alls$uch persons p-"e.rfomrj[g work shali immediately stop such work and suspend ali
building activities until the stop orders have been rescinded. A11 Stop Work Orders and notices
shali be writing and shall state the conditions rurder which work maybe resumed. A Stop Work
Order shall be served upon a person to whom it is directed either by delivering it personally, or
by posting the same upon a conspicuous portion of the building where the work is being
performed and sending a copy of the same to the person, firm or corporations by certified mail
return receipt requested, and simultaneously by regular mail, with retum address noted.
Section 14. Violations
(a) Upon determination by the Code Enforcement Officer or the Fire Safety Inspector
(or their respective d.esignees) that aviolation of the Unifonn Code or this local law exists in, on,
or about any building or premises, he shall order in writing the remedying of the condition. Such
order sha1l state the specific provision of the Uniform Code which the particular condition
violates and shall grant such time as may be reasonably necessary for achieving compliance
before proceedings to compel compliance shall be instituted. Such order shall be served
personally or by cerlified mai1, return receipt requested.
(b) Any person, firm or corporation who violates any provision of the Uniform Code,
this Local Law, or any ru1e or regulation issued under this local 1aw, or the terms or conditions of
any Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Building and Fire Safety Inspector, shall be liable to
a civil penalty of not more than $100.00 for each day or parl thereof during which such violation
continues. The civil penalties provided by this subdivision shall be recoverable in an action
instituted in the name of the Village Board on its own initiative or at the request of the Code
Enforcement Officer or the Fire Safety Inspector.
(c) Alternatively, and in addition to an action to tecover the civil penalties provided
by subsection (b), the Viilage Board may institute any appropriate action or proceeding in any
court of competent jurisdiction to prevent, restrain, enjoin, correct, or abate any violation of, or
to enforce, any provision of the Uniform Code or terms or conditions of any Certificate of
Occupancy issued by the Code Enforcement Officer or the Fire Safety Inspector.
(d) Furthermore, the Village Board may designate certain violations as criminal in
nature, subject to fine or imprisonment as the case may be. A violation of Code Requirements
pertaining to storage of combustible, flammabie, or otherwise dangerous materials is hereby
declared to constitute a Violation as defined in the Penal Law of the State of New York, and
sha11 be punishable by a fine of not more than $250.00 for each day or parl thereof during which
said violation continues, or imprisonment for a term not to exceed fifteen days, for each
violation. These penalties shall be in addition to any other penalty provided by 1aw"
Section 15. Severability
If any section, parugraph, subdivision, clause, phrase, or provision of this Local Law shal1
be judged invalid or held unconstitutional, it sha1l not affect the validity of this Local Law as a
whole or any part of provision thereof other than the parl so decided to be invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 16. Effective Date
The Local Law shall take effect upon filing with the Department of State.