Horseheads, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 188 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 188-42
Collection of costs
Operative Text
All permit, inspection fees, reinspection fees, demolition costs, administrative costs and legal costs incurred by the Code Enforcement Office in the enforcement of this chapter may be collected by an assessment or levy placed against the real estate involved to be collected as a property tax or by judgment entered against the owner personally or against the real estate.
Under Horseheads, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 188 § 188-42, when the Code Enforcement Office incurs costs while enforcing the housing code—including permit fees, inspection and reinspection fees, demolition costs, and administrative or legal expenses—those costs can be recovered through two mechanisms: a lien-style assessment placed against the property itself and collected like a property tax, or a personal judgment entered against the property owner. The provision gives the municipality flexibility in how it pursues repayment, allowing it to attach to the real estate, the owner, or both.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to enforcement activity under ch. 188 § 188-42 should be aware that any costs the Code Enforcement Office incurs on their behalf—ranging from routine inspection fees to demolition and legal expenses—can follow the property as a tax-like assessment or result in a personal judgment. Operators who maintain their properties in compliance with the code generally avoid triggering these cost-recovery mechanisms in the first place. Keeping records of all permits obtained, inspections passed, and corrective actions taken can help demonstrate a pattern of good-faith compliance if a billing dispute arises.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 188-42 of the Horseheads Code of Ordinances governs how the municipality recoups enforcement costs from property owners, not from tenants directly. Tenants should understand that outstanding assessments or judgments tied to a property under this provision can signal a history of code-enforcement activity at that address, which may be relevant when evaluating housing conditions. Tenants who believe their unit has unresolved code violations can contact the Code Enforcement Office or a local tenant-rights organization to learn about complaint processes and how enforcement actions are tracked.
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.
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