Highland Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 128 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 128-5
Violations; penalties for offenses; remedies
Operative Text
A. Failure to comply with any provision of this chapter, failure to submit a complete and accurate registry form and/or providing false information on the registry form shall be deemed a violation of this chapter. This chapter shall be enforced by the Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer. B. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued to a rental property unless and until the owner has complied with the provisions of this chapter. C. The enforcement officer shall serve notice of a violation personally or by certified mail, return receipt requested, on the owner or agent of the subject rental property. D. Such notice shall require removal of the violation and compliance with this chapter immediately or, at the enforcement officer's discretion, within a reasonable time. E. The enforcement officer shall be authorized to issue appearance tickets. F. Any person, including an owner as defined herein, who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine in an amount of no less than $250 or by a term of imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or both, for a first violation; in an amount of not less than $250 nor more than $700 or a term of imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or both, for a second violation committed within a period of five years of the first violation; and in an amount of not less than $700 nor more than $1,000 or a term of imprisonment of not more than 15 days, or both, for a third and each subsequent violation committed within a period of five years of the first violation. Each day that a violation of or failure to comply with any provision of this chapter occurs shall constitute a separate and distinct violation. G. Civil penalties. (1) In addition to and not in lieu of the above, any person, including an owner as defined herein, who violates any provision of this chapter shall be liable to the Village for a civil penalty in an amount of no less than $250 for a first violation; in an amount of not less than $250 nor more than $700 for a second violation committed within a period of five years of the first violation; and in an amount of not less than $700 nor more than $1,000 for a third and each subsequent violation committed within a period of five years of the first violation. Each day's continued violation shall constitute a separate and distinct violation. (2) Civil penalties may be ordered in any action or proceeding by any court of competent jurisdiction, including but not limited to state and federal courts. All penalties shall be paid to the Village. (3) The judgment amount of any civil penalty ordered pursuant to this section, if not paid, may be assessed and levied against the real property which is the subject of the penalty and collected in the same manner as a real property tax. H. In addition to and not in lieu of the remedies authorized above, the Board of Trustees or the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer may institute any appropriate action or proceeding to prevent, restrain, enjoin, correct or abate any violation or threatened violation of this chapter or to enforce any provision of this chapter.
Highland Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 128 § 128-5 establishes that failing to comply with the village's rental registry chapter — including submitting incomplete, inaccurate, or false registry forms — constitutes a violation subject to both criminal and civil consequences. Criminal penalties upon conviction range from a minimum $250 fine for a first offense up to $1,000 for repeat offenses within five years, and may include up to 15 days of imprisonment; civil penalties follow the same dollar scale and are payable to the Village. Notably, each day a violation continues counts as a separate, distinct violation, meaning penalties can accumulate quickly. Unpaid civil penalties may ultimately be assessed as a lien against the rental property itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 128-5, compliant rental property operators in Highland Falls ensure their registry forms are submitted on time, completely, and accurately — because omissions or false information independently trigger violations. Operators generally respond promptly to any notice of violation served by the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer, whether delivered in person or by certified mail, to avoid each additional day counting as a new violation. Because no certificate of occupancy can be issued to a rental property until the owner has met the chapter's requirements, staying current with registry obligations is a prerequisite for lawful rental operations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 128-5 of Highland Falls's rental code creates an enforcement mechanism that indirectly protects tenants by requiring landlords to maintain accurate registry compliance and obtain certificates of occupancy only after meeting those requirements. If a tenant has reason to believe their landlord is operating without proper registry compliance or a valid certificate of occupancy, they may contact the Building Inspector or Code Enforcement Officer, who is authorized to investigate and issue notices of violation. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New York municipal housing codes can help tenants understand how § 128-5 interacts with their broader housing rights and what reporting options may be available to them.
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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