Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 151-56
Demolition
Operative Text
A. General. The code official shall order the owner of any premises upon which is located any structure, which in the code official's judgment is so old, dilapidated or has become so out of repair as to be dangerous, unsafe, insanitary or otherwise unfit for human habitation or occupancy, and such that it is unreasonable to repair the structure, to demolish and remove such structure; or if such structure is capable of being made safe by repairs, to repair and make safe and sanitary or to demolish and remove at the owner's option; or where there has been a cessation of normal construction of any structure for a period of more than two years, to demolish and remove such structure. B. Notices and orders. All notices and orders shall comply with § 151-53 . C. Failure to comply. If the owner of a premises fails to comply with a demolition order within the time prescribed, the code official shall cause the structure to be demolished and removed, either through an available public agency or by contract or arrangement with private persons, and the cost of such demolition and removal shall be charged against the real property upon which the structure is located and shall be a lien upon such real property. The assessment of costs shall be administered in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article V of this chapter. D. Salvage materials. When any structure has been ordered demolished and removed, the governing body or other designated officer under said contract or arrangement aforesaid shall have the right to sell the salvage and valuable materials at the highest price obtainable. The net proceeds of such sale, after deducting the expenses of such demolition and removal, shall be promptly remitted with a report of such sale or transaction, including the items of expense and the amounts deducted, for the person who is entitled thereto, subject to any order of a court. If such a surplus does not remain to be turned over, the report shall so state.
Section 151-56 of Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 establishes a process by which the code official may order the demolition and removal of structures deemed dangerous, unsafe, unsanitary, or beyond reasonable repair, as well as structures where construction has been stalled for more than two years. Depending on the condition of the structure, the owner may be given the choice to repair it instead of demolishing it. If the owner does not comply with a demolition order, the municipality may carry out the demolition itself and place the cost as a lien against the property, with any proceeds from salvaged materials returned to the property owner after expenses are deducted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 151-56, property owners in Amherst who receive a demolition or repair order from the code official are expected to act within the timeframe specified in that order. Compliant operators typically respond promptly to notices issued under § 151-53, either completing required repairs or proceeding with demolition as directed. Owners should be aware that failure to act can result in the municipality performing the demolition and recovering its costs through a lien on the property, which can affect title and future transactions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 151-56 is primarily directed at property owners and the code official, but it has practical implications for anyone living in a structure that has been deemed unsafe or unfit for habitation. If a tenant believes their dwelling may be subject to a demolition or repair order, they may wish to contact the Amherst code enforcement office to inquire about the status of any orders affecting their building. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what protections or relocation resources may be available when a structure is ordered demolished or vacated under ch. 151.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation