Oyster Bay, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 135 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 135-55
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
Pursuant to § 268 of the Town Law of the State of New York, as amended, any person who shall violate any ordinance herein or regulation thereon or fail to comply therewith or with any of the requirements thereof or who shall build or alter or use any building, structure or land in violation of any statement or plan submitted and approved thereunder shall be guilty of an offense punishable by a fine not exceeding $350 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both, for conviction of a first offense; for conviction of a second offense, both of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $350 nor more than $700 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both; and upon conviction for a third or subsequent offense, all of which were committed within a period of five years, punishable by a fine not less than $700 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months, or both. However, for the purpose of conferring jurisdiction upon courts and judicial offices, generally, violations of this chapter or of such ordinance or regulation shall be deemed misdemeanors, and, for such purpose only, all provisions of law relating to misdemeanors shall apply to such violations. Each week's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation. Any fine imposed under this section shall be exclusive of costs to be charged to the owner of the property under § 135-54 .
Section 135-55 of Oyster Bay's Code of Ordinances establishes a graduated penalty structure for violations of the town's building, zoning, and land-use regulations. A first offense may result in a fine of up to $350, imprisonment of up to six months, or both; a second offense within five years carries a fine between $350 and $700 (plus possible imprisonment); and a third or subsequent offense within five years carries a fine between $700 and $1,000 (plus possible imprisonment). Importantly, every week that a violation continues counts as a separate, additional offense, and any fines imposed are separate from remediation costs that may be charged to a property owner under § 135-54.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Oyster Bay should be aware that § 135-55 imposes escalating financial and criminal exposure for each week a code violation remains unaddressed. Compliant operators generally act promptly to cure any building, structural, or land-use violations identified by the town, since each week of continued non-compliance is treated as a new, independent offense that can push penalties into higher tiers. Operators also account for the fact that fines under § 135-55 are assessed in addition to any remediation costs charged under § 135-54, meaning total financial liability can compound quickly.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in buildings subject to Oyster Bay's Code of Ordinances may find § 135-55 relevant when a landlord's failure to maintain a building or comply with land-use requirements constitutes an ongoing code violation. Because each week of continued violation is treated as a separate offense under § 135-55, unresolved conditions can give rise to accumulating penalties against a property owner. Tenants who believe a violation exists may consider documenting the condition, contacting the appropriate Oyster Bay town enforcement office to report the issue, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization to understand what options may be available.
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
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation