Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-79
Hearings
Operative Text
The following rules shall govern hearings by the Housing Board of Review: A. Petition. (1) Any person cited with a violation of this chapter and ordered to correct the violation may appeal such citation or apply for a variance from compliance with a specific section of this chapter, provided that such person shall file with the Secretary of the Board a written petition requesting a hearing by the Housing Board of Review and setting forth a statement of the grounds therefor within 10 business days after the service of such notice of violations. Any such person who properly files a petition shall be granted a hearing before the Housing Board of Review. (2) Any person issued an order by the Director of Planning and Development or designee to vacate a building due to a violation of this chapter or due to imminent danger as stated in the Property Maintenance Code of New York State shall be granted a hearing before the Housing Board of Review, provided that such person shall file with the Secretary of the Board a written petition requesting such hearing and setting forth a statement of the grounds therefor within five business days after the service of such order. B. Time of hearing. The hearing before the Housing Board of Review shall be held not later than 30 days after the date on which the petition was filed. Postponement of the hearing shall be for good and sufficient reasons and shall be mutually agreed upon by the Board and the petitioner. C. Right of petitioner at hearing. At the hearing, the petitioner or his/her agent shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to show cause why such notice of violations or order should be modified or withdrawn. D. Order of Board. After such hearing, the Board of Review shall sustain, modify or withdraw the notice of violations or order, depending upon its findings. The Board may also extend the time specified for compliance if the case warrants such extension. E. Record. The proceedings at such hearings, including the findings and decision of the Housing Board of Review, shall be summarized and entered as a public record at the office of the City Clerk. Such record shall also include a true copy of every notice and order issued in each case.
Section 210-79 of Ithaca's Code of Ordinances establishes the procedural rules governing hearings before the Housing Board of Review. A person who receives a violation citation or a vacate order may appeal or seek a variance by filing a written petition with the Board's Secretary within 10 business days (or 5 business days for vacate orders), after which a hearing must be scheduled within 30 days. Following the hearing, the Board may sustain, modify, or withdraw the original notice or order, and may also grant additional time for compliance; all proceedings and decisions become part of the public record held at the City Clerk's office.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 210-79, property owners or managers who receive a violation notice or vacate order from the Director of Planning and Development have a defined window—10 business days for standard citations, 5 business days for vacate orders—to file a written petition with the Housing Board of Review Secretary if they wish to contest the citation or request a variance. Compliant operators typically document the grounds for their appeal clearly in the petition and ensure timely filing to preserve their right to a hearing. Because all Board proceedings and decisions are entered as public records at the City Clerk's office, maintaining organized records of notices, correspondence, and hearing outcomes is a standard practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 210-79 gives tenants and other occupants who are subject to a vacate order the right to petition the Housing Board of Review for a hearing within 5 business days of receiving that order, and anyone cited with a housing code violation has 10 business days to file a similar petition. At the hearing, petitioners have the opportunity to present their case and argue why the notice or order should be modified or withdrawn. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have not been honored may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization, reviewing the public record of proceedings at the City Clerk's office, or exploring other enforcement paths available under Ithaca's housing code.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.