Hempstead Town, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 88 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 88-18
Designation of unfit dwellings and legal procedure of condemnation
Operative Text
The designation of dwellings or dwelling units as unfit for human habitation and the procedure for the condemnation and placarding of such unfit dwellings or dwelling units shall be carried out in compliance with the following requirements: A. Any dwelling or dwelling unit which shall be found to have any of the following defects shall be condemned as unfit for human habitation after due notice and hearing pursuant to § 88-3 of this chapter, and shall be so designated and placarded by the Manager of the Building Department. (1) One which is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, insanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public. (2) One which lacks illumination, ventilation or sanitation facilities adequate to protect the health or safety of the occupants or of the public as prescribed by the provisions of this code. (3) One which because of its general condition or location is insanitary or otherwise dangerous to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public. B. Any dwelling or dwelling unit condemned as unfit for human habitation and so designated and placarded by the Manager of the Building Department shall be vacated within a reasonable time as ordered by the Manager of the Building Department. C. No dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned and placarded as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from and such placard is removed by the Manager of the Building Department. The Manager of the Building Department shall remove such placard whenever the defect or defects upon which the condemnation and placarding action were based have been eliminated. D. No person shall deface or remove the placard from any dwelling or dwelling unit which has been condemned as unfit for human habitation and placarded as such.
Section 88-18 of Hempstead Town's Code of Ordinances establishes the process by which a dwelling or dwelling unit can be officially condemned and placarded as unfit for human habitation. Grounds for condemnation include serious physical deterioration, vermin infestation, inadequate lighting or ventilation, or conditions that are otherwise dangerous to occupants or the public. Once condemned, a unit must be vacated within a timeframe set by the Manager of the Building Department, and it cannot be reoccupied until that official removes the placard after confirming the underlying defects have been corrected. Tampering with or removing a condemnation placard without authorization is itself a violation of this section.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 88-18, property owners and managers are expected to maintain dwellings in a condition that avoids the defects triggering condemnation—such as structural decay, vermin infestation, or inadequate sanitation and ventilation. When the Manager of the Building Department issues a condemnation order and placard, compliant operators arrange for timely vacation of the affected unit in accordance with the ordered timeframe and then address all cited defects before seeking written approval for reoccupancy. Operators who restore a condemned unit to code-compliant condition and obtain the Manager's written sign-off and placard removal are the ones who can lawfully return the unit to use under § 88-18.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 88-18 gives occupants of Hempstead Town dwellings a framework of protection: if a unit is found to be seriously deteriorated, vermin-infested, or lacking adequate sanitation or ventilation, the Manager of the Building Department can officially condemn and placard it as unfit for human habitation after notice and a hearing under § 88-3. Tenants who believe their unit meets these conditions may consider reporting concerns to the Hempstead Town Building Department, which has authority to inspect and act under this provision. If a condemnation order is issued, tenants should be aware that the unit cannot lawfully be re-rented or reoccupied until the Manager removes the placard, and tenant-rights organizations can help explain what relocation or other remedies may be available in such circumstances.
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
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Rules and statutes that cite this regulation