Manchester, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 252 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 252-14

A. General. When a structure, property, premises or equipment is found by the Code Official to be unsafe, or when a structure is found unfit for human occupancy, or is found unlawful, such structure shall be condemned to protect health, property, safety and welfare pursuant to the provisions of this code and/or applicable international property maintenance, state fire and building codes, the provisions of Chapter 128 , Buildings, Unsafe, of the Code of the Town of Manchester shall apply. B. Unsafe structures. An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public, or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe, in need of repair or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible. The provisions of Chapter 128 , Buildings, Unsafe, of the Code of the Town of Manchester shall apply. C. Unsafe equipment. Unsafe equipment includes any boiler, heating equipment, elevator, moving stairway electrical wiring or device, flammable liquid containers or other equipment on the premises or within the structure which is in such disrepair or condition that such equipment is a hazard to life, health, property or safety of the public or occupants of the premises or structure. D. Unsafe property. Unsafe property shall conform to all applicable codes, as well as Chapter 196 , Grading, Excavating, Clearing, Filling and Mining; and § 325-28, Grading, excavating, clearing, filling and mining; and § 325-55, Debris management, of Chapter 325 , Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Manchester. E. Structure unfit for human occupancy. A structure is unfit for human occupancy whenever the Code Official finds that such structure is unsafe or unlawful or, because of the degree to which the structure is in disrepair or lacks maintenance, is unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, or contains filth, offal, manure, garbage or other decomposable organic putrescible matter, and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or heating facilities or other essential equipment required by this code or applicable codes or because the location of the structure constitutes a hazard to the occupants of the structure or to the public. F. Unlawful structure. An "unlawful structure" is a structure erected, altered or occupied contrary to law and/or occupied by more persons than permitted by law or code. G. Closing of vacant structures. If the structure is vacant and unfit for human habitation and occupancy, and is not in danger of structural collapse, the Code Official is authorized to post a placard of condemnation on the premises and order the structure closed up so as not to be an attractive nuisance. Upon failure of the owner to close up the premises within the time specified in the order, the Code Official shall cause the premises to be closed and secured through any available public agency or by contract or arrangement by private persons. All applicable New York State and local laws and codes, including but not limited to the enforcement of Chapter 128 , Buildings, Unsafe, of the Code of the Town of Manchester, shall apply. H. Notice. Whenever the Code Official has condemned a structure, premises or equipment under the provisions of this section, notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice and served on the owner or the person or persons responsible for the structure or equipment in accordance with Section D. If the notice pertains to equipment, it shall also be placed on the condemned equipment. I. Placards. Upon failure of the owner or person responsible to comply with the notice provisions within the time given, the Code Official shall post on the premises or on defective equipment a placard bearing the word "Condemned" and a statement of the penalties provided for occupying the premises operating the equipment or removing the placard. J. Prohibited occupancy. Any person who shall occupy a placarded premises or shall operate placarded equipment and any owner or any person responsible for the premises who shall let anyone occupy a placarded premises or operate placarded equipment shall be liable for the penalties provided by this code. K. Removal of a placard. Any person who defaces or removes a condemnation placard without the approval of the Code Official shall be subject to the penalties provided by this code.