Auburn, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 182 § 182-76
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
A. Any person who shall knowingly and willfully violate or assist in the violation of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine for the first offense in the amount not to exceed $250 or by imprisonment not exceeding 15 days or by both said fine and imprisonment for each offense. For a second offense committed within 12 months, the fine shall not exceed $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both said fine and imprisonment for each offense. For a third and subsequent violation committed within 12 months, the fine shall not exceed $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both said fine and imprisonment for each offense. Each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. B. The penalties heretofore prescribed shall not be imposed upon a person who by operation of law acquires premises containing violations for which a violation order has been issued for a period of six months after the date of such acquisition of the premises. Nevertheless, the penalties provided shall attach and apply either upon the expiration date of such six-month period or upon transfer of title to the premises before the expiration of such period, whichever first occurs.
Auburn, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 182 § 182-76 establishes a tiered penalty structure for knowing and willful violations of Chapter 182, Auburn's housing code. Fines escalate from up to $250 for a first offense, to $500 for a second offense within 12 months, and up to $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense within the same 12-month window, with imprisonment of up to 15 days possible at each tier. Crucially, every day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. A limited exemption shields someone who inherits or otherwise acquires a property by operation of law from penalties for pre-existing violations during the first six months of ownership, though penalties resume after that window or upon any earlier transfer of title.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 182-76, compliant property operators in Auburn promptly address any code violations cited under Chapter 182 rather than allowing them to persist, since each additional day of non-compliance can be charged as a distinct offense with escalating fines. Operators who acquire a property through foreclosure or other operation of law should be aware that the six-month penalty exemption for inherited violations is time-limited and does not survive a subsequent transfer of title. Maintaining thorough records of remediation efforts and communicating proactively with local code enforcement are practices generally associated with avoiding the compounding penalties this section authorizes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 182-76 of Auburn's Code of Ordinances gives local authorities the ability to pursue escalating fines and even short-term imprisonment against landlords who knowingly and willfully allow housing code violations to continue. Tenants who believe a landlord is maintaining conditions that violate Chapter 182 may report those conditions to Auburn's code enforcement office, which can initiate the violation and penalty process described in this section. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand how documented, ongoing violations might be relevant to other remedies available under New York law.
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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