Hempstead Village, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 78 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 78-7

A. Buildings and structures. The owner, operator or occupant shall maintain each and every part of the building or structure free of all nuisances and any hazards to the safety of the occupants, pedestrians and all persons utilizing the premises and maintain accessory structures and appurtenant equipment and fixtures in attractive condition and good repair, capable of performing the function for which same was designed or intended to be used, including but not limited to the following: (1) Exterior surfaces of buildings and structures that are not inherently resistant to deterioration shall be sealed and regularly treated with a protective coating of paint or other suitable preservative sufficient to prevent deterioration and to maintain a neat and orderly appearance. All such surfaces shall be maintained free of excessive flaking, peeling and crumbling. (2) In the case of multifamily and commercial buildings and structures, interior floors, walls, ceilings, furnishings and fixtures shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. (3) Every roof, wall, window, exterior door and hatchway shall be kept free from holes or leaks that would permit the entrance of water within any building or structure. (4) All buildings and structures shall be kept in a clean, sanitary and safe condition, free from lifter, debris, rubbish, garbage, junk, vermin, rodents and health and safety hazards of any kind. No building shall, except in emergency, ongoing construction or vacancy, be boarded up in part or whole. (5) Entrances to multifamily buildings shall be provided with self-closing- and self-locking-type doors. Windows and other openings used for ventilation in any building used for residence purposes shall be screened and shades, drapes, curtains or similar devices provided. (6) Foundations of every building and structure shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair so as to prevent the accumulation of moisture within the space enclosed by such foundation, and such foundation and any window or door thereon shall be protected against the entrance of rodents. (7) Roofs of every building or structure used for multiple residence or commercial purposes shall be maintained weathertight and be equipped with gutters and downspouts connected either to a public or private storm sewer or combined storm and sanitary sewer or to splash boxes of sufficient length to ensure that drainage does not cause excessive erosion, ponding or water damage and does not create a nuisance on public or private property. All roofs, gutters and downspouts shall be maintained in a good state of repair. (8) The exterior of every building and structure and all appurtenances thereto, both above and below the roof line, shall be maintained in good repair, in a safe condition, weathertight and so as to resist decay or deterioration from any cause. (9) All exposed surfaces shall be maintained free of damaged, disintegrating, crumbling, broken or missing materials, excessive pitting or corrosion and unsafe defects, and all broken or missing glass panes shall be replaced. (10) The exterior of every building and structure shall be maintained free of buckled, sagging, broken, partially missing, rotted or decayed walls, doors, windows, porches, balconies, steps, stairways, railings, balusters, chimneys and decorative trim. The exterior of every building and structure shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises shall not constitute a blighting factor for adjoining property. (11) Every repair to and replacement of a portion of the exterior of a building and structure or part thereof or appurtenances thereto shall match and conform to the overall exterior design of such structure. (12) All interior walls, floors and ceilings of every building and structure used for residence purposes shall be maintained free of holes, large cracks and any loose or deteriorated material and shall have a decorative coating of paint, wallpaper or other substance located thereon and shall be maintained in a clean and proper condition. Toxic coatings, including those paints, lacquers or any other coatings that contain a higher level of lead than permitted by law, are prohibited. (13) All floors within any bathroom or water closet compartment of a building or structure used for residence purposes shall be made water-resistant and nonabsorbent. (14) All multiple residences and all lands surrounding the same shall be kept free from rodents, vermin and insects. All such multiple residences shall be exterminated at least once every month by an exterminator licensed by the New York State Department of Environmental Control. Reports of extermination shall be kept on file with the owner and be available to the Building Department. B. Yards and open areas. The owner, occupant or other person having charge of any premises shall maintain the yards and open areas thereof in accordance with the following requirements: (1) Surface and subsurface water shall be drained to prevent damage to buildings and structures and to prevent the development of stagnant water. Gutters, culverts, catch basins, drain inlets, stormwater sewers and sanitary sewers or other satisfactory drainage systems shall be provided and utilized. In no event shall the water from any rain leader (or sanitary drainage system) be allowed to flow over the sidewalk or upon adjoining property, either public or private. (2) Fences and retaining walls shall be maintained in a safe condition. (3) In the case of multifamily and commercial buildings and structures, steps, walks, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas shall be maintained so as to afford safe passage under normal use and weather conditions. (4) Within 12 hours after the cessation of snowfall, snow and ice shall be plowed, shoveled and removed from all steps, walks, driveways and parking areas used or intended to be used by tenants, occupants, customers, invitees or other members of the public. No snow or ice so removed shall be deposited upon the public streets or sidewalks so as to interfere with the use of such streets or sidewalks or with the use of any other premises. (5) All parking areas and driveways on premises used for multifamily purposes shall be paved with concrete or asphalt, which shall be kept in good repair, and all parking spaces shall be clearly marked with painted white or yellow lines. All parking areas and driveways described in this subsection shall be regularly cleaned to avoid accumulation of dirt, paper and other debris or litter. (6) Dead and dying trees and limbs or other natural growth which, by reason of rotting or deteriorating conditions or storm damage, constitute a hazard to persons in the vicinity thereof, shall be removed. Heavy undergrowth and accumulation of plant growth which is unsightly, noxious or detrimental to health shall be eliminated or removed. Trees, hedges, bushes, shrubs and vegetation of any kind shall be kept pruned or trimmed. Grass shall not be permitted to exceed four inches in height. (7) The yards and open areas of any premises shall be kept in a clean, sanitary and safe condition, free from litter, debris, rubbish, garbage, junk, vermin, rodents and health and safety hazards of any kind. (8) It shall be unlawful to park or store or permit to be parked or stored in any yard or open area of a premises any motor vehicle that is abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, junked or substantially damaged and which is not intended to be used or in no condition for legal use upon the public highway. C. The Enforcement Officer shall issue a summons for the violation of any of the provisions of this section to the property owner, occupant or operator. (1) In addition to a summons, the Enforcement Officer shall issue a notice in writing which shall be served personally or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, and regular first-class mail to the last known address of the property owner, occupant, or operator, of their obligation to correct such violation within five business days of the service of such notice. (2) In the event that the property owner, occupant or operator fails to correct such violation within five business days of the service of such notice, the Village may cause the necessary maintenance to be performed and shall assess all costs and expenses incurred against such property. Such assessment shall be collected in the same manner that taxes are collected as provided by law. (3) The remedy of the Village set forth in this section, immediately above, shall be in addition to the penalties provided in § 1-16 of this Code.