Gates, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 133 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 133-7
Vacant structures
Operative Text
A. Vacant buildings or structures. Every person owning or having charge or control of any building or structure which has been vacant for over 60 days shall remove all combustible waste and refuse therefrom and lock, barricade, guard continuously or otherwise secure all windows, doors and other openings in the building to prohibit entry by unauthorized persons in a manner approved by the Building Inspector. B. Habitually noncompliant vacant buildings or structures. A vacant building or structure shall be considered habitually noncompliant when the person, business, organization or legal entity owning or having charge or control of the building or structure has been noncompliant with three or more notices issued by the Building Inspector or his/her representative in accordance with § 133-14C during the same period of vacancy.
Gates, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 133 § 133-7 establishes two categories of rules for vacant buildings and structures. First, any building or structure that has been vacant for more than 60 days must have all combustible waste and refuse removed, and all windows, doors, and other openings must be locked, barricaded, or otherwise secured in a way the Building Inspector approves, to keep out unauthorized persons. Second, a vacant property earns a 'habitually noncompliant' designation when its owner or controller has failed to comply with three or more notices from the Building Inspector during the same vacancy period, as defined by reference to § 133-14C.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Gates, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 133 § 133-7, operators and owners of vacant properties generally maintain compliance by acting promptly once a building has been empty for 60 days — clearing out combustible materials and securing all openings in a method the Building Inspector has approved. Keeping records of inspections, correspondence with the Building Inspector, and any remediation work helps demonstrate ongoing compliance. Owners who receive notices of violation under this section should address them promptly, since accumulating three or more unresolved notices during a single vacancy period can trigger the 'habitually noncompliant' classification, which may carry additional consequences under the code.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Gates, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 133 § 133-7 is primarily directed at property owners and controllers of vacant buildings rather than at occupying tenants, but neighbors and community members may have an interest in its enforcement. If a vacant building nearby appears unsecured or filled with combustible debris in apparent violation of this provision, a concern can generally be reported to the Gates Building Inspector, who is the enforcement authority named in § 133-7. Tenant-rights organizations or local housing advocacy groups can help individuals understand how vacant-property rules in their area may intersect with broader housing and safety concerns.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation