Chittenango, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 74 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 74-5
Procedures
Operative Text
A. Duty of the Fair Housing Officer. It shall be the duty of the Fair Housing Officer to initiate, receive and investigate written complaints charging discrimination, make findings of fact, seek conciliation of such fact or complaint, seek compliance by violators and take all other actions as authorized by law. B. Filing of complaints. (1) Any person aggrieved in any manner by a violation of any clause or provision of this chapter may file a written complaint with the Fair Housing Officer or his designee. The complaint shall be addressed to the Fair Housing Officer and shall state: (a) The name and address of the complainant. (b) The name and address of the person or persons against whom the complaint is brought, if known to the complainant. (c) The address of the property involved. (d) The name and address of all persons concerning the alleged violation. (e) The facts surrounding the alleged violation of this chapter. (f) Such other information as may be required by the Fair Housing Officer. (2) The Fair Housing Officer shall provide a printed form of complaint for the use of aggrieved persons. No fee shall be charged for the filing of the complaint. (3) Any complaint shall be barred from consideration unless it is filed with the Fair Housing Officer or his designee within six months after the alleged discriminatory practice has occurred. The Fair Housing Officer may extend the time for filing the complaint for an additional 60 days from the date filing would ordinarily have expired when conciliation efforts are pending. C. Investigation and conciliation of complaints. (1) The Fair Housing Officer shall furnish a copy of the complaint to the person or persons against whom the complaint is brought, in person or by certified mail, within five business days of receipt of the complaint from the complainant. (2) The Fair Housing Officer shall investigate the complaint and determine whether or not, in his opinion, probable cause exists for believing that the allegations made in the complaint are true. (3) If after such investigation the Fair Housing Officer determines that probable cause does not exist to believe that the allegations made in the complaint are true, he shall dismiss the complaint and shall so notify the complainant and all other parties interested. (4) If after such investigation the Fair Housing Officer determines that probable cause does exist to believe that the allegations made in the complaint are true, he shall set a date for a conference and notify the parties of the time and place thereof. At such conference, the Fair Housing Officer shall interview the complainant and the person or persons against whom the complaint has been directed and shall attempt to resolve the complaint by conciliation. (5) The Fair Housing Officer is authorized to hold closed meetings for conciliation of complaints of discrimination brought pursuant to this chapter. Nothing said or done in the course of such meetings shall be made public by the Fair Housing Officer, the complainant or by any other party to the proceedings without the written consent of all persons concerned. (6) If the Fair Housing Officer has been unable to secure voluntary compliance and if he has made a determination of the probable occurrence of one or more of the prohibited acts as hereinabove defined, the Fair Housing Officer may request the Village Attorney to institute and maintain an action provided for below. The Village Attorney shall, within 30 days of such request, make a determination as to whether to proceed with such action. If the Village Attorney determines to proceed, he shall institute an action in a court of competent jurisdiction within 30 days after such determination. D. Enforcement. (1) The Village Attorney, on behalf of the Village of Chittenango, may institute and maintain an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to restrain by injunction any violation of this chapter or to impose any fines or to obtain a judgment for any penalties provided for in this chapter. (2) Upon a finding by the court that any person has engaged in any of the prohibited acts as hereinabove defined, he shall be liable to a fine or a penalty payable to the village, which shall not be less than $100 nor more than $500 in amount for each such prohibited act.
Chittenango, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 74 § 74-5 establishes the procedural framework for handling fair housing discrimination complaints in the Village of Chittenango. A designated Fair Housing Officer receives, investigates, and attempts to resolve complaints through conciliation, and complaints must generally be filed within six months of the alleged discriminatory act. If voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, the Village Attorney may pursue court action, and a court finding of a prohibited act can result in a civil penalty between $100 and $500 per violation payable to the village.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 74 § 74-5, a compliant housing operator in Chittenango generally cooperates promptly when notified of a complaint — the Fair Housing Officer is required to serve a copy of any complaint within five business days of receipt. Operators who participate in good faith during the conciliation process help avoid escalation to the Village Attorney and potential court-imposed fines. Maintaining clear records of housing decisions and communications is a practice consistent with demonstrating compliance if a complaint is ever filed.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ch. 74 § 74-5 gives anyone who believes they have experienced housing discrimination in Chittenango the right to file a written complaint with the Fair Housing Officer at no charge, using a printed form the Officer is required to provide. The complaint must generally be submitted within six months of the alleged discriminatory act, though a 60-day extension may be available in certain circumstances. If the investigation finds probable cause, the Officer will attempt conciliation, and if that fails, the matter can be referred to the Village Attorney for court action — tenant-rights organizations can help individuals understand these procedural steps.
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.
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