Middletown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 296 § 296-3
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
Any person who violates or assists in the violation of the New York Uniform Fire Prevention and Building and Property Maintenance Codes or any person who fails to comply with a notice of violation issued pursuant to § 296-2A shall, upon conviction, be guilty of an offense punishable by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Each day that a violation is permitted to exist shall constitute a separate offense. The term "person," as used in this section, shall include the owner, occupant, mortgagee, vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee, agent, or any other person, firm or corporation directly or indirectly in control of a premises or part thereof.
Section 296-3 of Middletown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 296 establishes penalties for violations of the New York Uniform Fire Prevention and Building and Property Maintenance Codes, as well as for failure to comply with a notice of violation issued under § 296-2A. A conviction can result in a fine ranging from $250 to $1,000, up to 15 days of imprisonment, or both. Critically, each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense, meaning penalties can accumulate over time. The rule applies broadly to anyone with a direct or indirect connection to a premises, including owners, occupants, lessees, and agents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Middletown, N.Y., are subject to § 296-3, which covers a wide range of parties with control over a premises—not just the titled owner. Compliant operators generally respond promptly to any notice of violation issued under § 296-2A, since each day a violation remains unaddressed can be charged as a distinct offense, compounding potential fines up to $1,000 per day. Maintaining records of corrective actions taken in response to code inspections is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating good-faith compliance with the New York Uniform Fire Prevention and Building and Property Maintenance Codes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Middletown, N.Y., should be aware that § 296-3 defines 'person' broadly enough to include occupants, meaning tenants themselves could face penalties if they assist in or permit a code violation to continue on the premises. If a tenant believes a landlord is maintaining conditions that violate the New York Uniform Fire Prevention and Building and Property Maintenance Codes, general enforcement paths include reporting the conditions to the relevant local code enforcement office or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Middletown's ordinances. Because each day of an unresolved violation can constitute a separate offense under § 296-3, understanding the timeline of any issued notice of violation may be relevant to any complaint or proceeding.
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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