Lake Grove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 127 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 127-10
Boarding house or rooming house prohibited
Operative Text
A. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter and an offense within the meaning of the Penal Law of the State of New York for any person or entity who owns or rents a dwelling unit in the Village of Lake Grove to use, establish, maintain, operate, let, lease, sublease, rent or suffer or permit the occupancy and use thereof as a boarding house or rooming house as defined in this chapter. B. It shall be presumed that a building is being used as a boarding house or rooming house if any two or more of the following features or states of facts are found to exist by the Building Inspector or any person authorized to enforce or investigate violations of the Code of the Village of Lake Grove or any laws, codes, rules or regulations of the State of New York or from other competent evidence: (1) Separate written or oral leases or rental arrangements, payments or agreements for portions of the building among its owner(s) and occupant(s). (2) The inability of any occupant to have lawful access to all parts of the building. (3) That the structure shows evidence of an entrance(s) that is not set forth on plans maintained or approved by the Building Department and that the Code Enforcement Officer has cause to believe is unauthorized. (4) Partitions or internal doors with or without keyed locks that may serve either to bar access between segregated portions of the building, or to subdivide existing bedrooms into separate bedroom spaces, including but not limited to a basement, living room or bedroom(s). (5) Two or more kitchens, or kitchen-type areas, each of which contains a range, oven, refrigerator, microwave or other cooking apparatus. (6) The installation or use of portable kitchen appliances, including but not limited to hotplates, microwaves or a refrigerator in bedrooms or other non-kitchen areas. (7) The conversion of nonhabitable space or habitable space to bedroom space or additional bedroom space. (8) Used or available parking spaces in excess of 10% of the total lot area. (9) Two or more electrical or other utility meters; or (10) Two or more mailboxes and/or mail slots. (11) Two or more satellite dishes or cable lines. (12) Evidence that garbage, septic or water usage exceeds the reasonable estimate of such use for the use permitted for the premises. (13) Two or more motor vehicles routinely parked overnight upon or adjacent to the dwelling lot that are registered to persons with different surnames; or (14) The dwelling has been advertised in any newspaper, magazine, circular, local advertising publication, or by electronic realty or realtor advertising, as being available for sale, lease or rent, which advertisement provides: (a) That such dwelling contains rooms for rent, numbers of dwelling units available, or that the dwelling may be occupied by more than one separate family; or (b) That the property is being used as a dwelling containing rental units, or the number of rooms for rent, dwelling units available or multifamily accommodation; and (c) Such advertising is contrary to the authorized number of rooms or dwelling units for the premises, or is contrary to the use authorized for the premises. C. The presumption raised by proof of the existence of any of the conditions identified in Subsection B hereof may be rebutted in a court of competent jurisdiction by conclusive evidence that such condition does not exist or that such condition complies with the Village Code or is otherwise authorized.
Section 127-10 of Lake Grove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 127 makes it unlawful to use, operate, or permit a dwelling unit in the Village of Lake Grove to function as a boarding house or rooming house as those terms are defined in the chapter. The provision establishes a list of fourteen physical, documentary, and behavioral indicators—such as separate leases for portions of a building, multiple kitchens, or extra utility meters—where the presence of any two or more creates a legal presumption that a prohibited use is occurring. That presumption can be challenged in court with conclusive evidence showing the conditions do not exist or are otherwise authorized under Village Code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Owners and managers of residential property in Lake Grove should be aware that § 127-10 treats a wide range of observable conditions—including separate rental arrangements for portions of a building, additional kitchens, unauthorized entrances, or multiple utility meters—as potential indicators of an unlawful boarding or rooming house use. Compliant operators generally ensure that their property's physical configuration, lease arrangements, and utility setup align with the single-family or otherwise authorized use approved by the Village Building Department. Maintaining accurate records of approved plans, keeping the number of occupancy-related features consistent with the authorized use, and avoiding advertising that misrepresents the dwelling's permitted status are practices associated with compliance under this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in a dwelling in the Village of Lake Grove should understand that § 127-10 makes it a violation—and a Penal Law offense under New York State—for any owner or renter to operate or permit a boarding or rooming house arrangement, regardless of what a lease may say. If a tenant believes their housing situation involves conditions that may implicate this provision, they may raise the existence of this ordinance as relevant context when consulting a tenant-rights organization or housing attorney familiar with Village of Lake Grove regulations. Tenants also have the right to present evidence in a court of competent jurisdiction to rebut any presumption raised under Subsection B of § 127-10, as the provision explicitly preserves that avenue.
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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