Geneva, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 158 § 158-20
Civil penalty in cases alleging unfair real estate practices
Operative Text
A. In cases alleging unfair real estate practices filed under this chapter, in addition to any other award of damages or grant of injunctive relief, or other equitable relief, a penalty may be assessed against the respondent. Payment of the penalty may be required as a term of a conciliation agreement entered into under § 158-17I , or may be ordered by the Board (or panel majority) in a decision rendered under § 158-19 by a court of competent jurisdiction in a proceeding filed under § 158-22 . B. The penalty assessed against a respondent shall not exceed the following amount: (1) Ten thousand dollars if the respondent has not been determined to have committed any prior unfair real estate practice; (2) Twenty-five thousand dollars if the respondent has been determined to have committed one other unfair real estate practice during the five-year period ending on the date of the filing of this charge; or (3) Fifty thousand dollars if the respondent has been determined to have committed two or more unfair real estate practices during the seven-year period ending on the date of the filing of this charge; except that if acts constituting the unfair real estate practice that is the subject of the charge are committed by the same natural person who has been previously determined to have committed acts constituting an unfair real estate practice, then the penalties set forth in Subsection B(2) and (3) of this section may be imposed without regard to the period of time within which those prior acts occurred.
Geneva, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 158 § 158-20 establishes a civil penalty system for unfair real estate practice violations, layered on top of any damages or injunctive relief already awarded. The maximum penalty scales with the respondent's history: up to $10,000 for a first offense, up to $25,000 for a second offense within five years, and up to $50,000 for two or more prior offenses within seven years. When the same individual has personally committed prior violations, the time-window limitations on the higher penalty tiers do not apply.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Geneva should be aware that § 158-20 creates an escalating civil penalty structure for unfair real estate practice findings, separate from any compensatory damages. A compliant operator generally maintains thorough records of all rental and sales transactions, fair-housing training, and communications to demonstrate adherence to the chapter's requirements. Prior findings of unfair real estate practices on record can significantly increase the maximum penalty exposure in any subsequent proceeding under this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 158-20, tenants who believe they have experienced an unfair real estate practice may have access to a process that can result in civil penalties against a respondent, in addition to other remedies such as damages or injunctive relief. A complaint filed under ch. 158 can lead to a conciliation agreement or a Board decision that includes such a penalty, providing an additional layer of accountability. Tenants can explore their options by contacting a local tenant-rights organization or fair-housing agency familiar with Geneva's ordinance to understand the complaint and enforcement pathways available under this chapter.
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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