Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-120
Notice of intent to demolish
Operative Text
Whenever the chief officer of the Bureau designates a building unfit for human habitation, as provided in this code, and determines that the cost necessary to correct the violation is not reasonably related to the value of the building, he shall include within the notice and order provided for in § 231-108 or § 231-110 a statement of his intent to order the demolition of the structure. A copy of such notice shall be served on the owner, occupant, lessee and mortgagee, in the same manner as provided for service of notice of violation in § 231-108 . The owner may demolish such structure or correct the violation regardless of cost, provided that the requirements of the Building Code in effect at the time of attempted compliance are satisfied.
Under Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-120, when the chief officer of the Bureau finds a building unfit for human habitation and concludes that the cost to fix the violations is disproportionate to the building's value, the officer must include a demolition-intent statement within the formal notice and order. That notice must be delivered to the owner, occupant, lessee, and mortgagee using the same service procedures required for violation notices under § 231-108. Even after a demolition-intent notice is issued, the owner retains the option to either demolish the structure or bring it into compliance, as long as current Building Code requirements are met.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to a notice issued under § 231-120 should be aware that the Bureau's chief officer has formally flagged the building as unfit and has signaled intent to order demolition. Compliant operators in this situation typically review the notice carefully, confirm that all named parties—owner, occupant, lessee, and mortgagee—have been properly served, and then evaluate whether voluntary demolition or full code-compliant rehabilitation is feasible. Any rehabilitation effort must satisfy the Building Code standards in effect at the time the work is undertaken, not those in place when the violation was first identified.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
If you occupy a building that has received a demolition-intent notice under § 231-120, you are entitled to receive a copy of that notice served in the same manner as a standard violation notice under § 231-108. This provision acknowledges your status as an occupant with a legal interest in the outcome, meaning the process cannot proceed without formal notice to you. Tenants in this situation may wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization or consult with a housing attorney to understand what options and protections may be available during the demolition or rehabilitation process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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