Lackawanna, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 139 § 139-6
Powers and duties
Operative Text
A. The Department of Development shall be charged with the duty of administering the housing standards and securing compliance therewith, and shall be empowered to adopt rules and regulations necessary for securing such compliance and for its own organization and internal management. Such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the housing standards or with any provision of law. B. The Department of Development shall be empowered to prescribe and secure compliance with housing requirements for mobile homes used as temporary relocation housing in connection with an urban renewal, public improvement, or other publicly aided program. C. The Department of Development shall be empowered to request, and shall receive, so far as may be necessary in the discharge of its duties, the cooperation of other officials or agencies of the municipality. D. The Department of Development shall be empowered to require the registration of premises and to issue certificates of compliance with respect to the use and occupancy of premises, or issue temporary certificates, limited to premises or parts thereof before or during the performance of any work to eliminate or correct violations or deficiencies, for an initial period of 90 days, and renewable for additional ninety-day periods. E. The Department of Development shall be empowered to require independent inspections and test of equipment and systems used in connection with premises. F. The Department of Development shall be empowered to conduct surveys to determine the condition of premises, extent of deterioration, lack or adequacy of facilities, adequacy of maintenance, existence of unsafe and unsanitary conditions, extent of overcrowding, land use, and other relevant factors affecting safety, health, or welfare. G. It shall be the duty of the Director of Development: (1) To cause inspections to be made of premises within the scope of the housing standards; (2) To cause an investigation of complaints of alleged violations of the housing standards; (3) To issue written orders for the elimination or removal of conditions affecting or found to exist in, on, or about premises in violation of the housing standards, and, where appropriate, order the cessation of an unlawful use or nuisance, or the vacation, demolition, or repair of premises found dangerous or unsafe, and, to state in the violation order a reasonable time limit for compliance therewith, and the time within which an appeal may be taken; (4) To request the City Attorney to take appropriate legal action upon failure to comply with a violation order or orders; (5) To keep official records of Department of Development actions and activities; (6) To cause studies to be made of housing and environmental conditions for the purpose of community improvement; (7) To cooperate with other public and private agencies engaged in the study and improvement of housing and environmental conditions; and (8) To publish an annual report including a summary of actions, activities, results, accomplishment, studies, as well as current and proposed programs.
Lackawanna, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 139 § 139-6 establishes the Department of Development as the primary authority responsible for enforcing the city's housing standards. The Department holds broad powers including conducting inspections, investigating complaints, requiring property registration, issuing compliance certificates, and ordering corrections of violations. The Director of Development is specifically tasked with issuing written violation orders that include a reasonable compliance deadline and information about the right to appeal, and may refer unresolved matters to the City Attorney for legal action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 139 § 139-6, property owners operating in Lackawanna should be aware that the Department of Development is authorized to inspect premises, require registration, and issue certificates of compliance or temporary certificates valid for 90-day renewable periods. Compliant operators generally maintain their properties in accordance with housing standards, respond promptly to any written violation orders issued by the Director of Development, and complete required corrections within the time limits stated in those orders. Failure to comply with a violation order can result in the Department referring the matter to the City Attorney for legal action.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Lackawanna, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 139 § 139-6 gives tenants a meaningful avenue for addressing substandard housing conditions: the Director of Development is specifically charged with investigating complaints of alleged housing standard violations. Tenants who believe their premises do not meet housing standards may file a complaint with the Department of Development, which is empowered to inspect the property, issue written violation orders, and set deadlines for landlord compliance. Tenant-rights organizations in the Lackawanna area can help residents understand how to navigate the complaint process and what options may be available if a violation order is not followed.
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.
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