Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 157-44
Powers and duties
Operative Text
A. The Building Inspector shall be charged with the duty of administering the applicable housing standards and securing compliance therewith, and the Building Inspector is empowered to adopt rules and regulations necessary for securing such compliance, provided that such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the applicable housing standards. B. The Building Inspector shall be authorized to conduct surveys of housing in any area of the municipality to determine the condition of premises, extent of deterioration, lack of facilities, inadequate maintenance, unsafe and unsanitary conditions, extent of overcrowding, land use and other relevant factors. C. It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector: (1) To cause periodic inspections to be made, not less than once every five years, of all premises within the scope of applicable housing standards. (2) To cause an investigation of all complaints of alleged housing violations or other unsafe or insanitary conditions. (3) To order, in writing, the remedying of all conditions found to exist in or on any premises in violation of provisions of the housing standards or of rules and regulations adopted by the Building Inspector; to state in the violation order a reasonable time limit for compliance therewith; and, where necessary, to order the vacation of premises found unfit for human habitation. (4) To request the chief legal officer of the municipality to take appropriate legal action in the name of the Town upon failure of the responsible party to comply with such violation order within the time specified therein. (5) To cause a search of his records of housing violations existing on any premises and to issue a certified statement thereof upon receipt of written request and payment of any fees required by local law or ordinance. (6) To study housing conditions in the municipality. (7) To cooperate with other municipal governmental and private agencies engaged in the study and improvement of housing conditions. (8) To publish an annual report of housing conditions in the municipality, accomplishments of the Building Inspector and recommendations for the future. D. Where violations of the housing standards exist and pose an immediate hazard or danger to the health, safety or welfare of building occupants or of the public, the Building Inspector may issue an order citing the violation and directing such action by such municipal agency as is necessary to remove or abate the immediate hazard or danger.
Section 157-44 of Clarkstown's Code of Ordinances establishes the Building Inspector as the central authority responsible for enforcing local housing standards. The Inspector is empowered to conduct surveys, carry out periodic inspections at least once every five years, investigate complaints, issue written violation orders with compliance deadlines, and—when conditions pose an immediate hazard—order emergency abatement actions. If a responsible party fails to comply with a violation order, the Inspector may refer the matter to the town's chief legal officer for formal legal action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 157-44, property owners in Clarkstown should expect that the Building Inspector may conduct routine inspections of their premises at least once every five years, as well as complaint-driven investigations at any time. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties in accordance with applicable housing standards so that, if a written violation order is issued, they can meet the stated compliance deadline and avoid referral to the town's legal office. Keeping records of maintenance, repairs, and any correspondence with the Building Inspector supports a clear compliance history.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 157-44 gives tenants in Clarkstown a formal avenue for addressing unsafe or substandard housing conditions: the Building Inspector is required to investigate all complaints of alleged housing violations or unsanitary conditions. Tenants can submit a written complaint to the Building Inspector, who is then obligated under § 157-44 to investigate and, if violations are found, issue a written order requiring the responsible party to remedy the problem within a set timeframe. Tenant-rights organizations in Rockland County can help residents understand how to document conditions and navigate the complaint 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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation
Related Rules
Source Information
Use this in your app
Access this data programmatically via our API