Pelham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 54 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 54-30
Civil penalty
Operative Text
A. A person who violates any requirement of this code or any order of the Department or Board of Appeals shall be subject to a cumulative civil penalty of ten dollars ($10.) per day for each separate violation from the date set for correction in the notice of violation until the violation is corrected. This penalty shall be paid forthwith by the violator. If such payment is not immediately made, it may be collected by the Department by action against the owner or his agent. A civil suit to collect said penalty may be commenced in any court of competent jurisdiction. B. The Department may bring a civil suit in any court having jurisdiction of the amount claimed for the recovery of civil penalties, together with costs and disbursements. If the court finds, upon a showing by the defendant that sufficient mitigating circumstances exist, it may remit all or part of the accumulated civil penalties arising from the violation with respect to which such a showing was made. C. When the Department obtains a judgment in an action under this code either against an owner or his agent, in addition to the appropriate methods of enforcement for judgments established in the Civil Practice Law and Rules, such judgment for penalties shall constitute a lien and shall be filed, within one (1) year from the entry of judgment and may be enforced against the premises and upon the rents and compensation due or then maturing for any rents or compensation without further proceedings.
Section 54-30 of Pelham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 54 establishes a civil penalty system for violations of the housing code or orders issued by the Department or Board of Appeals. Penalties accumulate at $10 per day for each separate violation, starting from the correction deadline stated in the notice of violation and continuing until the violation is resolved. Courts may reduce or waive accumulated penalties if the violator demonstrates sufficient mitigating circumstances, and any unpaid judgment can become a lien against the property or its rental income.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Pelham's housing code should be aware that under § 54-30, penalties begin accruing at $10 per day per violation from the date specified in a notice of violation—not from when the Department files suit. Compliant operators generally correct cited violations before the deadline stated in the notice and retain documentation of the correction to establish the date the violation was resolved. Unpaid civil penalties can result in a judgment that attaches as a lien to the property itself or to rents due, so timely correction and payment are central to how operators typically manage compliance under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 54-30 gives the Pelham Department authority to pursue civil penalties against owners who fail to correct housing code violations, with penalties accumulating at $10 per day per violation from the correction deadline. Tenants who are aware of uncorrected violations may find it useful to document conditions and any notices of violation, as the Department can bring civil suits and obtain liens against a property when an owner does not comply. Tenants seeking to understand how this enforcement mechanism may relate to their situation can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Pelham'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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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