Hamburg Village, NY Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Section 127-1 of the Village of Hamburg Code deems a building or structure unsafe or dangerous if it has any listed defect: walls or vertical members that list, lean, or buckle past the middle third of the base, improperly distributed or overloaded floors or roofs, damage by fire, wind, or other causes, dilapidation or decay that makes it unfit for human habitation, inadequate light, air, and sanitation, inadequate egress in case of fire or panic, parts attached so they can fall and injure the public, or existence in violation of Chapter 123 or any other provision of the Village Code or New York State law.

The process starts with the Code Enforcement Officer, who makes a formal inspection and reports in writing to the Board of Trustees with findings and recommendations on repair or demolition (§ 127-2A). The Board of Trustees then decides by resolution whether the building is unsafe or dangerous and orders repair or demolition (§ 127-2B). Notice is served on the owner and others with an interest, shown by the latest assessment roll, by personal service, or by registered mail plus a copy securely affixed near the principal entrance (§ 127-3). The notice carries a hearing before the Board of Trustees scheduled not less than five business days after service (§ 127-4E), and a copy is filed with the Erie County Clerk and indexed like a notice of pendency (§ 127-6).

If the owner fails to comply after the hearing, the Village Board secures or demolishes the building by Village employees or by contract, with competitive bidding where state law requires it, except in certified emergencies (§ 127-5). Costs recoverable from the owner include attorney fees, engineering fees, securing, demolition, or repair costs, notice costs, and title searches. They are added to the next assessment roll for Village taxes, or collected in a special proceeding under Article 4 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules (§ 127-7). In an emergency, § 127-8 lets the Code Enforcement Officer, after the Superintendent of Public Works and the officer determine immediate danger, act at once, require occupants to vacate, and barricade sidewalks and streets.