Increases civil penalties for violations of building maintenance standards within the city of New York

Title of bill

An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the imposition of civil penalties for violation of state and local laws for building maintenance and operation

Purpose

To increase penalties for violation of laws for building maintenance and operation.

Summary of provisions

Subdivision (a) of section 27-2115 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law number 65 of the city of New York for the year 1987 is amended. The bill would increase, to a more reasonable amount, fines for violations of state and local laws Pertaining to building maintenance and operation.

Violation of any law relating to housing standards shall bring a penalty of not less than fifteen dollars, nor more than seventy-five dollars for each Class A violation; not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred and twenty dollars per day for each Class B violation; and fifty dollars per day for each Class C violation. Fines for false certification of correction shall be raised to not less than seventy-five dollars or more than three hundred dollars for each violation falsely certified.

Justification

Passage of the bill is important to keep fines for building violation in line with present day costs. This is especially important in the area of dangerous violations, where there is a threat to health or life. The present fines are so low that it is often less expensive for an owner found violating the law to pay a fine a number of times than to improve the building.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.