Pelham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 54 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 54-31
Criminal penalty
Operative Text
A. Any person who willfully or recklessly violates any provision of this code, or fails to comply with any requirement of an order of the Department or of the Board of Appeals or makes or causes any other person to make any false or misleading statement on any registration statement, notice or other document required to be filed pursuant to this code or any other action required by the Department pursuant to this code shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.) for each such violation or by imprisonment of up to one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Every day that a violation continues after due notice has been served, in accordance with the terms and provisions hereof, shall be deemed a separate violation. B. To support a finding of willful violation, evidence that the defendant had knowledge or notice of the violation and failed to correct same for more than one hundred twenty (120) days shall be sufficient. This shall not, however, limit the introduction of other evidence or the finding of willful violation on other grounds. C. A person commits a willful violation when that person's action or failure to act results in a condition constituting a violation of this code, which will or is likely to endanger the life, health or safety of another person.
Section 54-31 of Pelham's Code of Ordinances establishes criminal penalties for serious violations of the local housing code. Anyone who willfully or recklessly breaks a code provision, ignores a Department or Board of Appeals order, or submits false information on required documents can face a fine between $50 and $1,000 per violation, up to one year of imprisonment, or both. Each day a violation continues after proper notice is served counts as a separate, independent violation. A violation is considered 'willful' when the responsible party knew about it and failed to correct it within 120 days, or when the condition endangers the life, health, or safety of another person.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 54-31, property owners and managers are expected to respond promptly to any notice of violation issued by the Department or Board of Appeals, since each day of non-compliance after proper notice can be treated as a separate criminal offense. Compliant operators generally maintain accurate records, ensure all registration statements and required filings are truthful and complete, and address code-deficient conditions well before the 120-day threshold that can support a finding of willful violation. Conditions that endanger life, health, or safety carry heightened exposure under this provision, making timely remediation a standard part of responsible property management in Pelham.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 54-31 provides that tenants living with conditions that violate Pelham's housing code—especially those endangering life, health, or safety—are protected by a framework that can result in criminal penalties against those responsible. If a landlord has received notice of a violation and has not corrected it within 120 days, the code treats that inaction as evidence of willful non-compliance, which strengthens the legal weight of the violation. Tenants who believe a landlord is ignoring a Department order or filing false documents may consider contacting the Pelham Department directly, consulting a tenant-rights organization, or exploring whether the violation can be raised in relevant legal proceedings.
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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