Amherst, NY Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Chapter 151, Article I finds that severely deteriorated, damaged, or collapsing buildings and open excavations endanger the public and directs the Town Board to establish a removal and abatement procedure (§ 151-1); the chapter applies within the Town outside the Village of Williamsville (§ 151-2). Under § 151-3, the Building Commissioner must inspect a reported structure and, if it is dangerous or unsafe, file a report with the Town Clerk stating the required corrective action. A notice then goes to the owner personally or by registered mail, with a copy posted on the premises if mailed (§ 151-4); it must describe the premises by tax account number, state the defect, order repair, securing, or removal, and announce a Town Board hearing (§ 151-5).

The notice is filed in the Erie County Clerk's office with the effect of a notice of pendency and stays in force for one year unless a court or the Town Attorney vacates it earlier (§ 151-6). After the hearing, the Town Board can vacate or modify the Commissioner's order, or direct that the building be repaired, secured, or removed and any excavation filled (§ 151-7). Where the Commissioner finds an immediate hazard, he may order the building vacated pending a new certificate of occupancy, close an abutting street or sidewalk, erect barricades, or take other protective action without waiting for the hearing (§ 151-8).

If the Town itself performs the work, the cost is assessed against the property through an Assessor's hearing and certified to the Erie County Legislature for levy as a lien collected with Town taxes (§§ 151-17, 151-18).