Southampton Village, NY Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Southampton Village Code § 47-2
- Notice deadline to start work
- Within 10 days of service of the notice
- Completion deadline
- 30 days after the start period, extendable by the Building Inspector
- Hearing body
- Board of Trustees of the Village of Southampton
- Cost recovery
- Assessed against the land as a lien
- Emergency power
- Building Inspector can order a building vacated at once
Summary
In the Village of Southampton, a building that is structurally unsafe, dangerous, unsanitary or a hazard from dilapidation or abandonment is declared illegal. The Building Inspector serves a notice requiring repair or removal, the Board of Trustees holds a hearing on default, and the Village can demolish and assess all costs against the land.
All buildings or structures which are structurally unsafe, dangerous, unsanitary or which, in relation to existing use, constitute a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence or abandonment are, severally, for the purpose of this chapter, unsafe buildings. All such buildings and structures are hereby declared to be illegal and are prohibited and shall be abated by repair and rehabilitation or by demolition and removal in accordance with the procedures of this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 47 targets buildings that threaten the Village of Southampton's health and safety. Under § 47-2, any building or structure that is structurally unsafe, dangerous, unsanitary, or a hazard because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence or abandonment is an unsafe building, is declared illegal, and must be abated by repair and rehabilitation or by demolition and removal. The Building Inspector makes a formal inspection and files a written report with his office and a copy with the Board of Trustees (§ 47-3). He serves the owner or anyone with an interest personally or by certified mail and posts a copy on the premises (§ 47-4).
The notice must describe the premises, state the particulars of the hazard and order the building made safe and secure or removed, with work commencing within 10 days of service and completed within 30 days thereafter. The Inspector can extend time when there is evidence of intent to comply (§ 47-5). On neglect or refusal, the Board of Trustees holds a hearing and can order the building repaired and secured or taken down. The Village can remove it by whatever means it deems appropriate and assess all costs against the land.
Under § 47-6 the Village can file the notice with the County Clerk with the effect of a notice of pendency for one year. Section 47-7 lets the Inspector order immediate vacating where there is actual and immediate danger of collapse. Costs become a lien, and if the owner fails to pay within 10 days after the statement is presented or posted, the Village can sue or add the amount to the assessment roll (§ 47-8).
Violations & Fines
Section 47-9 sends violations to Article II of Chapter 1, where § 1-17 sets a fine up to $2,000, up to 15 days in jail, or both, with each day a separate offense. Removing the Inspector's posted unsafe-building notice without written permission is unlawful under § 47-7. The Village also keeps every other available remedy, and all abatement costs become a lien on the land.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a building unsafe under Southampton Village law?
How long does an owner have to fix or remove an unsafe building?
What happens if the owner ignores the notice?
Can the Village force people out of a dangerous building immediately?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Southampton Village
New York rules heatmap·Compare Southampton Village to another location·View the New York property maintenance overview
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How other cities in Suffolk County handle property blight.