Hempstead Town, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 88 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 88-20
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
A. Time for compliance. The inspecting officer shall stipulate such necessary time for compliance with a notice of violation of this chapter. Such period of time may vary depending, in his discretion, on the severity of the violation. Extension of time for compliance may be given by such officer where undue hardship exists or where extensive repairs are required. B. Penalties. (1) For any and every offense against the provisions of this chapter, the owner, general agent or contractor of a building or premises where such offense has been committed or shall exist, and the lessee or tenant of an entire building or entire premises where such offense has been committed or shall exist, or the owner, general agent, contractor, lessee or tenant of any part of the building or premises in which part such offense has been committed or shall exist, and the general agent, architect, builder, contractor or any other person who knowingly commits, takes part in or assists in any such offense or who maintains a building or premises in which any offense shall exist, shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days for each such offense, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (2) Each week's continued offense against this chapter shall constitute a separate additional offense.
Hempstead Town Code ch. 88 § 88-20 establishes a compliance and penalty framework for violations of the town's housing chapter. An inspecting officer sets a compliance deadline based on the severity of the violation, with extensions available for hardship or extensive repairs. Anyone who commits, assists in, or maintains a violation — including owners, agents, contractors, lessees, or tenants — may face a fine of up to $250, up to 15 days of imprisonment, or both, with each week of continued noncompliance counting as a separate offense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Hempstead Town Code ch. 88 § 88-20, property owners and their agents are subject to penalties for every week a violation remains unaddressed, so compliant operators generally act promptly upon receiving a notice of violation and document all repair efforts. If a project requires extensive work or presents genuine hardship, operators typically communicate with the inspecting officer to request a formal extension before the original deadline lapses. Keeping records of contractor agreements, permits, and correspondence with the inspecting officer supports a clear compliance timeline.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Hempstead Town Code ch. 88 § 88-20 makes clear that tenants of an entire building or premises can be held responsible for violations that exist in their space, not just landlords or contractors. Tenants who receive a notice of violation should be aware that each week of continued noncompliance can be treated as a new, separate offense. Tenants with questions about their obligations or rights under this provision may benefit from consulting a local tenant-rights organization or reviewing the town's housing enforcement resources.
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
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