Mount Vernon, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-58
Recovery of expenses; costs as lien
Operative Text
The Commissioner of Buildings, with the assistance of the Corporation Counsel, shall cause the expenses incurred pursuant to §§ 149-46 and 149-47 of this article plus a service charge of 25% to be charged against the land on which the building or structure existed, as a municipal lien, or cause such costs to be added to the tax roll as an assessment or to be levied as a special tax against the land upon which the building or structure stands or did stand, or such costs may be recovered by the City of Mount Vernon in a civil action.
Under Mount Vernon, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-58, when the city incurs expenses carrying out work authorized under §§ 149-46 and 149-47 — such as addressing unsafe or unlawful buildings or structures — it is entitled to recover those costs plus a 25% service charge. The city may do so by placing a municipal lien on the land, adding the amount to the property tax roll as an assessment, levying a special tax, or pursuing a civil lawsuit. This provision gives the city multiple legal tools to ensure it is reimbursed for remediation or enforcement expenditures.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners in Mount Vernon should be aware that under ch. 149 § 149-58, any city-incurred expenses stemming from enforcement actions under §§ 149-46 and 149-47 — plus a 25% service charge — can attach directly to the property as a lien or appear on the tax roll. Compliant operators generally address building violations promptly and on their own initiative to avoid triggering city-directed work that would result in these added financial obligations. Reviewing property tax records and title reports periodically can help owners identify whether any such charges have been assessed against their land.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
While ch. 149 § 149-58 primarily governs how the City of Mount Vernon recoups its enforcement costs from property owners, tenants may find it relevant when a landlord's failure to address building conditions has led to city intervention under §§ 149-46 and 149-47. Understanding that liens or tax assessments can be placed on a property as a result of code enforcement may provide context when researching a building's compliance history. Tenants seeking more information about enforcement actions affecting their building can consult local tenant-rights organizations or review public records maintained by the city.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.