Crawford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 106 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 106-3
Service of notice; commencement of eviction proceedings
Operative Text
A. The following persons, corporations or agencies may serve personally upon the owner or landlord, or upon his agent, of premises used or occupied in whole or in part for the use, possession, sale or manufacture of illegal drugs, a written notice requiring the owner, landlord or agent to make an application for the removal of the person(s) so using or occupying the premises: (1) Any domestic corporation organized for the suppression of vice, subject to or which submits to visitation by the State Department of Social Services and possesses a certificate of such fact and of conformity with the regulations of the State Department of Social Services. (2) Any duly authorized enforcement agency or person of the state or of a subdivision thereof, which or who is under a duty or is authorized to enforce the provisions of the Penal Law or of any state or local law, ordinance, code, rule or regulation relating to buildings. B. If the owner or landlord or his agent does not make such application for removal within 15 days after the date of the mailing of the notice; or having, made the application, does not in good faith diligently prosecute the application, the person, corporation or enforcement agency giving the notice may bring a proceeding under this chapter for such removal as though such petitioner were the owner or landlord of the premises, and shall have precedence over any similar proceeding thereafter brought by such owner, landlord or agent and over a proceeding previously brought by the owner, landlord or agent and not prosecuted diligently and in good faith. C. Proof of existence, use, sale or manufacture of illegal drugs on the premises shall constitute presumptive evidence of the unlawful use of the premises required to be stated in the petition for removal. The person(s) in possession of the premises and the owner or landlord shall be made respondents in the proceeding.
Crawford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 106 § 106-3 establishes a process by which certain authorized agencies or qualifying nonprofit corporations can formally notify a property owner or landlord that illegal drug activity is occurring on their premises and demand that the owner seek removal of the occupants responsible. If the owner or landlord fails to file for removal within 15 days of receiving that notice, or fails to pursue the removal proceeding diligently and in good faith, the notifying party gains the legal standing to bring the removal proceeding themselves as if they were the owner. Evidence that illegal drugs are being used, sold, or manufactured on the premises is treated as presumptive proof of the unlawful use that must be alleged in any removal petition, and both the occupant and the owner or landlord are named as respondents in such a proceeding.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Crawford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 106 § 106-3, property owners and landlords who receive a written notice from an authorized enforcement agency or qualifying nonprofit about illegal drug activity on their premises are expected to act promptly. A compliant operator generally files an application for removal of the offending occupant(s) within the 15-day window specified in the provision and then pursues that application diligently and in good faith. Failing to meet either of those standards can result in the notifying party stepping into the owner's role to bring the removal proceeding, and that party's case takes precedence over any proceeding the owner subsequently files or had previously filed but not diligently pursued.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Crawford, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 106 § 106-3 makes clear that occupants of premises where illegal drug activity is alleged can be named as respondents in a removal proceeding brought either by the owner or by an authorized third party. Because the provision treats proof of drug use, sale, or manufacture on the premises as presumptive evidence of unlawful use, a tenant facing such a proceeding may wish to understand what that presumption means for their situation and what procedural rights they have as a named respondent. Tenants in this situation may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Crawford's local ordinances to understand available responses within the proceeding.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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