Riverhead, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 263 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 263-24
Civil enforcement and administrative remedies
Operative Text
A. Civil Enforcement. In addition to the criminal penalties set forth in § 263-23 , the Town may commence a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction, including the Supreme Court of the State of New York, for any violation of this chapter. The Town may seek: (1) Civil fines of up to $5,000 per violation per day; (2) Injunctive relief to compel compliance or prevent further violations; (3) Court orders requiring removal of unlawful advertisements or listings; (4) Any other remedy authorized by law. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct violation, with each day subject to cumulative civil penalties. B. Administrative remedies. The Code Enforcement Official, or other authorized official may suspend, revoke, or deny a rental permit in accordance with § 263-15 or upon finding a violation of: (1) § 263-4D - Prohibited transient rentals; (2) § 263-21 - Presumption of transient use; (3) § 263-22 - Prohibited advertising; (4) § 263-22C - Failure of platform to comply with takedown notice; (5) Any other applicable provision of this chapter. C. Mandatory Permit Revocation for Transient Use. Any property determined to have been rented in violation of § 263-4D , whether established by direct evidence or by the presumption set forth in § 263-21 , shall result in the immediate revocation of any active rental permit issued under this chapter. Such revocation shall be deemed automatic and non-discretionary upon a finding of violation and shall preclude the issuance of a new permit for a period of one year from the date of revocation. D. Exception. This provision shall not apply if the permit holder is afforded and complies with the affidavit process described in § 263-15B . E. Joint and several liability. Property owners, tenants, agents, managers, brokers, or hosting platforms that knowingly aid, abet, facilitate, or permit violations of this chapter may be held jointly and severally liable in any enforcement proceeding. F. Cumulative remedies. The remedies in this section are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedy or penalty authorized by law, including those set forth in § 263-23 .
Section 263-24 of Riverhead's Code of Ordinances establishes a layered civil and administrative enforcement framework for violations of the town's rental regulations. The Town may pursue civil fines of up to $5,000 per violation per day in court, with each continuing day counted as a separate violation, and may also seek injunctive relief or orders to remove unlawful listings. On the administrative side, rental permits can be suspended, revoked, or denied, and any property found to have been rented in violation of the prohibited transient-use rules faces automatic, non-discretionary permit revocation plus a one-year bar on obtaining a new permit. Property owners, tenants, agents, brokers, and hosting platforms that knowingly facilitate violations can all be held jointly and severally liable.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 263-24, compliant operators in Riverhead maintain active rental permits, avoid advertising or facilitating transient rentals prohibited by the chapter, and respond promptly to any takedown notices directed at platforms or listings. Because civil fines accrue at up to $5,000 per violation per day and permit revocation is automatic upon a finding of transient-use violations, operators generally keep thorough records demonstrating compliance with each applicable provision. Landlords who receive notice of a potential violation often review the affidavit process described in § 263-15B, which the code identifies as a possible exception to mandatory permit revocation under § 263-24D.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 263-24 is primarily directed at property owners, agents, and platforms, but tenants who knowingly aid or facilitate prohibited rentals can be held jointly and severally liable under § 263-24E. Tenants who believe a landlord is operating without a required permit or in violation of the chapter's advertising or transient-use rules may report concerns to Riverhead's Code Enforcement Official, who holds authority to initiate administrative remedies including permit suspension or revocation. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid resources can help individuals understand how the enforcement provisions of § 263-24 may intersect with their own rental 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation