Southampton, NY Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Town Code Ch. 261
- Farm exemption
- bona fide agricultural land
- Notice before Town action
- 30 days
- First-offense fine
- up to $1,000
- Repeat offense
- $1,000 to $5,000, up to 6 months
- Escalating civil penalty
- $150/$250/$500 per day
Summary
In the Town of Southampton outside the villages, Chapter 261 requires every improved property, except bona fide farmland, to be kept free of blight and hazards, covering drainage, landscaping, junk vehicles, graffiti and vacant-building upkeep, enforced by escalating fines and civil penalties.
Consistent with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and the standards contained therein, it is hereby declared by the Town Board of the Town of Southampton that all improved properties shall be maintained in conformity with the provisions of this chapter so as to assure the desirable character of the property, to prevent blight and the spread thereof and to prevent hazards to the public health, safety and welfare. Properties used for bonafide agricultural production shall not be construed as improved properties for purposes of this chapter. ... Except as required by § 261-2B below, violations of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 days, or both, for each violation. Each day's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation. ... Any second or subsequent conviction for a violation of this chapter within an eighteen-month period shall be considered an unclassified misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 or a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months, or both.
Full Breakdown
Town Code § 261-1 declares that, consistent with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, all improved properties must be maintained to assure desirable character, prevent blight and its spread, and prevent hazards to public health, safety and welfare, exempting bona fide agricultural land. The standards in § 261-1B require surface water to be properly drained, walks and parking areas kept safe and pothole-free, lawns and hedges kept trimmed and free of blight, garbage and rubbish kept inside or in enclosed containers and regularly collected, vacant lots kept free of physical hazards, open wells and cesspools secured, junked vehicles screened from view or stored inside, commercial lighting kept safe, and exterior facades kept free of graffiti.
Owners of vacated buildings must keep the structure and yard safe and secure. Where a property violates these standards, § 261-3 lets the Town Board order the property brought into conformance after 30 days' written notice by registered or certified mail, with the Town's costs assessed against the land and added to the tax bill if the owner does not comply. The Town Attorney may also pursue injunctions or civil penalties when authorized by Town Board resolution.
Violations & Fines
A first Chapter 261 violation is punishable under § 261-2A by a fine up to $1,000 or up to 15 days in jail, or both, plus a mandatory $100 blight mitigation surcharge; a second or later conviction within 18 months becomes an unclassified misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 or up to six months in jail. The Town Attorney can also pursue escalating civil penalties of $150, $250 and $500 for the first, second and third-plus days of a continuing violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as blight under Southampton's property maintenance code?
Does Southampton's blight code apply to farms?
What happens if a Southampton property owner ignores a blight notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southampton
New York rules heatmap·Compare Southampton to another location·View the New York property maintenance overview
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How other cities in Suffolk County handle property blight.