Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 227 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 227-7
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
A. Violations of this article shall constitute a violation and will be subject to applicable penalties under this article, in addition to those imposed by any other applicable code or ordinance. B. Penalties for violations of this article, by either failing to register as a landlord or agent or by allowing occupancy without valid certificate, shall be imposed as follows: (1) First offense: $200 per dwelling unit. (2) Second offense: $500 per dwelling unit. (3) Third offense and every subsequent offense: $1,000 per dwelling unit. C. Penalties for violations of this article shall result in the Village assessing the penalty thereof against said premises, to be collected, with interest, in the same way and manner as Village taxes. D. If the owner neglects or refuses to pay the fine(s) as stated in this section within 30 days after notification, the Village shall add such fine(s) onto the dwelling's property tax bill, and it shall become a lien on the property/dwelling. E. Failure to have a current rental certificate will result in revocation of the certificate of occupancy until an inspection is conducted and a current rental certificate is issued. In the event the certificate of occupancy is revoked, all occupants must be vacated. The notice to vacate the unit and any expenses resulting from that eviction are the sole responsibility of the owner. The Village will not issue eviction notices, nor assume any responsibility for relocation or displacement expenses when that eviction is a result of the owner's noncompliance with this article. F. Each week that any violation continues after notification that such violation exists shall be considered a separate offense. These penalties shall be in addition to any other penalty provided by law. The Village may also seek injunctive relief to prevent the continued violation of this article.
Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 227 § 227-7 establishes a tiered penalty structure for landlords who fail to register or allow occupancy without a valid rental certificate, starting at $200 per dwelling unit for a first offense, rising to $500 for a second, and reaching $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. Each week a violation continues after notification counts as a separate offense. Unpaid fines can be assessed against the property and added to the property tax bill as a lien, and a revoked certificate of occupancy requires all occupants to vacate at the owner's sole expense.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 227-7, compliant operators in Massena maintain current landlord registrations and valid rental certificates for every dwelling unit before allowing occupancy. Because each week of continued non-compliance after notification is treated as a new offense, operators generally resolve any flagged deficiency promptly to avoid escalating per-unit fines. Operators also keep in mind that unpaid penalties can become a lien on the property through the Village's tax-assessment process, and that a revoked certificate of occupancy places the full burden of vacating and relocating tenants on the property owner.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 227-7 of Massena's Code of Ordinances gives tenants context for understanding why a landlord's failure to register or maintain a valid rental certificate is a serious matter — it can ultimately lead to a revoked certificate of occupancy and a required vacate order, with all associated costs falling on the owner. Tenants who believe their landlord is operating without proper registration or a current rental certificate may consider contacting the Village of Massena directly to inquire about the property's compliance status. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what options may be available when a landlord's noncompliance under this article affects their housing situation.
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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