Ramapo, NY Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Compliance deadline
- 30 days, extendable for good cause
- Appeal window
- 7 days to Zoning Board of Appeals
- Standard violation
- Class 3: up to $250/15 days per week
- Evacuation violation
- Class 4: up to $1,000/1 year per week
- Town remedy
- Town may repair/demolish and lien the property
Summary
When Ramapo's Building Inspector finds a structure unsafe or dangerous, he must have it examined by a licensed architect or engineer, then order the owner to repair, secure, remove or demolish it within 30 days, with a right to appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals within seven days, under Chapter 112.
It is the intent of this chapter to provide for a rapid and efficient means of removal or securing or repair of unsafe structures after examination, notice and hearing. ... In the event that said owner or any party in interest fails to demolish, repair, remove or secure the structure as directed in the order and notice of the Building Inspector within the time indicated thereon, or as the same may be modified by the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Town of Ramapo may at any time thereafter enter upon the lands and property and cause the building or structure to be repaired, demolished, removed or secured, and all costs and expenses incurred therewith by the Town shall forthwith become a lien upon and against the property.
Full Breakdown
L. No. ' Under § 112-2, the Building Inspector is the enforcement officer; once he deems a structure unsafe or dangerous, a licensed architect or professional engineer must further examine it, and upon concurrence the Inspector gives notice and orders repair, removal, securing or demolition. The § 112-3 notice must identify the tax lot and address, explain why the structure is unsafe, and warn that noncompliance lets the Town assess the property for its abatement costs as if they were Town taxes; the order gives no more than 30 days to comply, extendable by the Inspector for good cause.
Notice is served personally, by certified mail to the owner of record with a copy affixed to the structure, or by delivery to an adult occupant, under § 112-4. An aggrieved owner may request a hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals by filing a verified petition with the Director of Building, Planning and Zoning within seven days of service, under § 112-5; the Board must give seven days' written notice of the hearing, and if the order stands, the owner has five days after the decision is filed to comply.
If the danger is immediate, § 112-7 lets the Inspector order the building vacated by posting a notice at each entrance. If an owner never complies, § 112-8 lets the Town enter the property, perform the repair, removal or demolition itself, and place the costs as a lien on the property, though no demolition may occur without express Town Board approval.
Violations & Fines
Violating any section of Chapter 112 other than the evacuation-order provision is a Class 3 violation under Town Code Chapter 1, punishable by up to 15 days' imprisonment and/or a fine not to exceed $250 for each week of violation (§ 112-10), with each week of continued violation a separate offense under § 112-11. Removing a posted evacuation notice or ignoring an evacuation order is a Class 4 violation under § 112-7(B), punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to fix an unsafe building in Ramapo before penalties apply?
Can I appeal a Ramapo unsafe-building order?
What happens if I ignore the Town's demolition order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ramapo
New York rules heatmap·Compare Ramapo to another location·View the New York property maintenance overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.