Albany County enforces brush clearance through NY Property Maintenance Code and local nuisance ordinances. NY ECL §9-1105 restricts open burning of brush. DEC burn ban March 16 to May 14 annually statewide.
Brush clearance in Albany County operates under the NY Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (19 NYCRR) and the NY Property Maintenance Code. City of Albany Code Chapter 313 (Property Maintenance) and Chapter 133 (Fire Prevention) require owners to keep property free of accumulated combustible vegetation near structures. NY Environmental Conservation Law §9-1105 and 6 NYCRR Part 215 prohibit open burning of brush statewide from March 16 through May 14 each spring — Albany County Sheriff and DEC Forest Rangers enforce jointly. Unlike western wildfire zones, Albany County does not mandate defensible space clearance, but mixed forest areas in Berne, Knox, Rensselaerville and the Helderberg escarpment face elevated spring wildfire risk. Vacant lot weed/brush complaints in Albany, Cohoes, and Watervliet route to code enforcement. City can abate and lien per Albany Code §313-14.
Property maintenance violation: $250 to $1,000 per Albany Code §313-44. Illegal open burning: DEC citation $500 to $2,500 under ECL §71-0703. City abatement cost plus 18% admin fee lien.
Albany, NY
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