Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 186 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 186-76
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Operative Text
A. 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. The Agency shall be authorized to conduct surveys of housing in any area of the municipality to determine the condition of premises, extent of deterioration, lack of facilities, inadequate maintenance, unsafe and unsanitary conditions, extent of overcrowding, land use and other relevant factors. C. 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 provisions of the housing standards or of 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 recorders of housing violations existing on any premises and to issue a certified statement thereof upon receipt of written request and 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. 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.
Section 186-76 of Massena's Code of Ordinances establishes the powers and duties of the local housing Agency, which is responsible for enforcing the town's housing standards. The Agency is authorized to conduct housing surveys, carry out periodic inspections at least once every five years, investigate complaints, and issue written orders requiring property owners to correct violations within a reasonable timeframe. When a violation creates an immediate hazard to health, safety, or welfare, the chief officer may issue an emergency order directing municipal action to remove or abate the danger.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 186-76, property owners in Massena can expect periodic inspections of their premises at least once every five years, as well as inspections triggered by tenant complaints or observed violations. When the Agency issues a written violation order, it will specify a reasonable compliance deadline; operators who fail to meet that deadline may face legal action initiated by the municipality's chief legal officer. Maintaining properties in accordance with the applicable housing standards—and responding promptly to any written orders—reflects the kind of conduct the Agency's enforcement framework is designed to encourage.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 186-76 gives Massena's housing Agency the explicit duty to investigate all complaints of alleged housing violations or unsafe and unsanitary conditions, meaning tenants have a recognized avenue for raising concerns about their living conditions. If a violation poses an immediate hazard, the chief officer has authority under this provision to issue an emergency order directing corrective action without waiting for a standard compliance cycle. Tenants who believe their housing conditions violate local standards may consider filing a complaint with the Agency, requesting a certified statement of any recorded violations on the premises, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance on available options.
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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