Hornell, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 178 § 178-65

A. Duty to administer housing standards; adoption of rules and regulations. The agency shall be charged with the duty of administering the applicable housing standards and securing compliance therewith and shall be empowered to adopt rules and regulations necessary for securing such compliance and for its own organization and internal management, provided that such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the applicable housing standards. B. Authority to conduct surveys. The agency shall be authorized to conduct surveys of housing in any area of the municipality to determine the condition of premises, the extent of deterioration, the lack of facilities, inadequate maintenance, unsafe and insanitary conditions, the extent of overcrowding, land use and other relevant factors. C. Duties of chief officer. It shall be the duty of the chief officer: (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 the provisions of the housing standards or of the rules and regulations adopted by the agency, 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 agency upon failure of the responsible party to comply with such violation order within the time specified therein. (5) To cause a search of the agency's records of housing violations existing on any premises and to issue a certified statement thereof upon receipt of a written request and the 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 agency and recommendations for the future. D. Issuance of orders to remove or abate hazardous or dangerous conditions. 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 chief officer 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.