Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-56
Vacant properties; demolition
Operative Text
A. Purpose. In the City of Fulton there are vacant structures which do not possess the protective measures normally provided by legal occupants, making such structures subject to unlawful entry, vandalism and fires. Therefore, these vacant structures present a potential health and safety hazard to the general public, immediate neighbors and residents and public employees performing municipal duties and services in the area or at the site of the vacant structure. B. Owner's duties. (1) Vacant buildings. It shall be the duty of every owner or person responsible for a property which has a vacant building thereon: (a) To maintain the building in a safe and sanitary condition and in compliance with this chapter. (b) To secure the building to prevent unauthorized entry. (c) To maintain the yard free from trash, debris, high grass and overgrown weeds. (2) Vacant lots. It shall be the duty of every owner or person responsible for a vacant lot to maintain the lot in a safe and sanitary condition and in compliance with this chapter. It shall also be the duty of every owner or person responsible for a vacant lot to maintain the lot free from trash, debris, high grass and overgrown weeds, except for approved designated future development sites in a wooded setting which need not be mowed. C. Maintenance and securing of vacant building and clearing of vacant lots. (1) Notification of owners. If the Bureau Chief determines that a vacant building or a lot is in violation of this chapter, he shall notify the owner of that determination and order the owner to maintain and secure the building or maintain or clear the lot. Notice shall be sufficient if said notice is sent to the owner by certified mail addressed to the owner's last address known to the Bureau. (2) Discharge of owner's duties by City. (a) If the owner or person responsible therefor fails to comply with the notice within five days after the notice is sent, the Bureau Chief may have the owner's duties discharged by City employees or contractors. It shall be the personal obligation of the owner to reimburse the City for its expenses incurred in discharging said owner's duties. (b) If the owner has previously disregarded the order of the Bureau Chief and thereafter the property again is in violation of this section, the Bureau Chief may again discharge the owner's duties, at the owner's expense, without notice to the owner. (3) The Bureau Chief may utilize any other remedies available to him to obtain compliance with his order. D. Demolition. Whenever the Bureau Chief shall determine that a building or structure constitutes an unoccupied hazard or is unfit for human habitation or dangerous to human life or detrimental to health and after having determined that the building or structure or part of said building or structure should be demolished, he shall proceed in accordance with Chapter 262 of the Code of the City of Fulton, being the Unsafe Buildings Ordinance, and/or any other applicable state statute, local law or ordinance.
Section 475-56 of Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 475 establishes duties for owners of vacant buildings and lots within the City of Fulton, requiring them to keep such properties safe, sanitary, and secured against unauthorized entry, and to keep yards and lots clear of trash, debris, and overgrown vegetation. If an owner fails to comply after notification by the Bureau Chief, the City may step in and perform the required maintenance or securing work itself, billing the cost directly to the owner. In cases where a vacant structure is found to be hazardous or unfit, the Bureau Chief may initiate demolition proceedings under the City's Unsafe Buildings Ordinance or applicable state law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners and managers of vacant properties in Fulton should be aware that § 475-56 imposes affirmative, ongoing obligations: vacant buildings must be kept structurally safe, sanitary, and secured against unauthorized entry, while both vacant buildings and lots must be kept free of trash, debris, high grass, and overgrown weeds. Compliant operators typically conduct regular inspections of vacant holdings, promptly address any security or maintenance deficiencies, and keep contact information current with the Bureau so that certified-mail notices reach them without delay. Failure to act within five days of a Bureau Chief's notice can result in the City performing the work and charging all associated costs back to the owner, and repeat violations may be remedied without any advance notice at all.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
While § 475-56 primarily imposes duties on property owners rather than tenants, neighboring residents and community members benefit from its protections: the provision is designed to reduce health and safety hazards posed by unsecured or deteriorating vacant structures in the City of Fulton. If a nearby vacant building or lot appears to be in violation—unsecured, littered, or overgrown—residents can report the condition to the Bureau Chief, who has authority under this section to order corrective action or have the City perform the work at the owner's expense. Tenant-rights organizations and local housing advocacy groups can help residents understand how this provision interacts with other housing and nuisance regulations that may apply to their situation.
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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