Hempstead Village, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 52 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 52-4
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
A. A violation of a Code provision involving nonpermitted occupancy of a structure is a "violation," as that term is defined in the New York State Penal Law . B. Notwithstanding any provision of this Code inconsistent herewith, for each Code violation involving a nonpermitted occupancy of a one- or two- family dwelling, or of an approved multifamily dwelling, the owner and any person who is in charge of the subject property at the time of the violation shall be liable to a fine of not less than $3,000 and not exceeding $6,000 for the first violation; for a second violation, the fine shall be not less than $6,000 and no more than $12,000; for a third and any subsequent violation, the fine shall be not less than $20,000 and no more than $40,000, all of which were committed within a period of five years. C. Each week that the violation continues to exist shall constitute a separate and distinct violation.
Hempstead Village, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 52 § 52-4 establishes financial penalties for unpermitted occupancy of residential structures, including one- and two-family homes and approved multifamily dwellings. Fines escalate sharply with repeat violations within a five-year window, ranging from $3,000–$6,000 for a first offense up to $20,000–$40,000 for a third or subsequent offense. Critically, every week that a violation remains unresolved is counted as a separate, independent violation, meaning fines can compound quickly over time.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 52-4, property owners and anyone in charge of a property at the time of a violation can both be held personally liable for fines tied to unpermitted occupancy. Operators who stay compliant generally ensure that all occupancies in their one- or two-family or multifamily dwellings are properly permitted before tenants move in, and they promptly address any flagged violations to avoid the week-by-week accumulation of separate offenses. Given the steep escalation for second and third violations within five years, maintaining current permits and documentation is a standard practice among compliant operators.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 52-4 of the Hempstead Village Code targets property owners and those in charge of a property for unpermitted occupancy violations — not tenants — but the existence of an unpermitted occupancy can still affect a tenant's housing stability and legal standing. Tenants who believe they are living in an unpermitted unit may wish to contact Hempstead Village's code enforcement office to understand the status of their dwelling. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New York housing law can help explain how an unpermitted occupancy designation might interact with a tenant's rights and available remedies.
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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