Johnstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 150 § 150-8
Enforcement; penalties for offenses
Operative Text
A. Authority and responsibility. The authority and responsibility for publicizing, administering, and enforcing this chapter shall be in the City's Fair Housing Officer, to be designated by the Mayor of the City of Johnstown. B. Violations. Violations of this chapter shall be reported in person or in writing to the City's Attorney/Fair Housing Officer within a year of the alleged discriminatory housing practice. C. Enforcement. Where sufficient cause exists to believe that the terms of this chapter have been violated, the Fair Housing Officer shall institute a suit in City Court against the alleged violator within 120 days following the issuance of the charge. D. Penalties. Where a person or organization has been found, after a trial on the merits, in violation of this chapter, a fine shall be imposed on such person or organization not to exceed $10,000 for a first offense, and $25,000 for a second offense, and $50,000 for third offense, the minimum fine for violations of this chapter shall be $100 for a first offense and $500 for each additional offense. Each and every separate violation of this chapter shall be deemed an offense for the purposes of imposing the appropriate fine.
Section 150-8 of Johnstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 150 establishes the enforcement framework for the city's fair housing rules. A Fair Housing Officer, appointed by the Mayor, is responsible for publicizing, administering, and enforcing the chapter. When a violation is found after a court trial, fines range from a minimum of $100 up to $10,000 for a first offense, $500 minimum up to $25,000 for a second offense, and up to $50,000 for a third offense, with each separate violation counted as its own offense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Johnstown should be aware that Chapter 150, § 150-8 places enforcement authority with the City's Fair Housing Officer, who is empowered to bring suit in City Court when sufficient cause of a violation exists. Compliant operators generally maintain practices and policies that conform to the chapter's fair housing requirements, since each distinct act of noncompliance can be treated as a separate offense carrying its own fine. Operators typically document their fair housing procedures and train staff accordingly to reduce the risk of charges being filed within the one-year reporting window.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Johnstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances § 150-8, residents who believe they have experienced a discriminatory housing practice may report that concern in person or in writing to the City's Attorney/Fair Housing Officer within one year of the alleged incident. The Fair Housing Officer holds the authority to investigate and, where sufficient cause exists, to initiate legal proceedings in City Court against an alleged violator within 120 days of a charge being issued. Tenants may also consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization or fair housing advocacy group to better understand the options available under this provision.
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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