Riverhead, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 263 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 263-14

A. Duty to keep frontage of dwelling unit property free and clear of abandoned household contents and Town's authority to remove. The owner, authorized agent, managing agent and/or occupant of a dwelling unit which is or was being used as a rental dwelling shall maintain such property frontage, including but not limited to the front yard and/or the contiguous right-of-way, free of abandoned household contents as defined in this chapter. In the event that abandoned household contents as defined in this chapter are located upon or contiguous with the frontage and/or abutting right-of-way of a lot or parcel of land, for a period in excess of 48 hours, the Town is hereby authorized, as provided for herein, to enter upon such property, if necessary, to remove said abandoned household contents so located, to assess the cost and expense of such undertaking against the property and to establish a lien as herein provided. B. Inspection and report. Upon notification that abandoned household contents are located on or along the property frontage of a rental dwelling unit and/or the right-of-way contiguous thereto, the Code Enforcement Official may make an inspection thereof and report his findings concerning the same to the Town Board. C. Notice. If the Code Enforcement Official shall find that abandoned household contents are located on or contiguous to the frontage of rental dwelling unit property, he may make an order, directing notice to be served upon the owner of said property as appears in the records of the Receiver of Taxes of the Town. D. Contents of notice. The notice shall contain a general description of the property, a statement of the particulars with regard to the violative condition(s) existing at the rental dwelling unit property and an order requiring that the abandoned household contents existing on or contiguous with the property, and/or its frontage, be removed. The notice shall specify a time, not less than 48 hours after the service thereof, within which the owner served with such notice shall complete the removal of the abandoned household contents from the property or along the frontage or the contiguous right-of-way as specified in the notice. The notice shall further state that, in the event that the cited condition is not eliminated within the time specified in the notice, the Town shall undertake to enter upon the property, if necessary, to remove the abandoned household contents and assess the cost of such removal against said property. E. Service of notice. The notice may be served either personally or by certified mail, addressed to the last known address, if any, of the owner as the same may appear on the records of the Receiver of Taxes of the Town; provided, however, that if such service is made by certified mail, a copy thereof shall also be posted on the property where the abandoned household contents are located. Service of the notice by mail and posting shall be deemed completed on the day on which both the mailing and the posting will have been accomplished. F. Failure to comply. Upon failure of the owner of the rental dwelling unit to comply with the notice within the time provided therein, the Town shall provide such labor and materials as are necessary for removing the abandoned household contents from said property or its frontage or contiguous right-of-way and shall cause such work to be performed as will remove the abandoned household contents from the property. G. Assessment of costs and expenses. All costs and expenses incurred by the Town in connection with the removal of the abandoned household contents from said property or its frontage or contiguous right-of-way shall be assessed against the subject land or lot. An itemization of such costs shall be provided to the Town Board by the Code Enforcement Official. The total costs and expenses shall then be determined by the Town Board and shall be reported to the Assessor of the Town as the amount to be liened and assessed against the property, and the expense so assessed shall constitute a lien and charge on the property on which it is levied until paid or otherwise satisfied or discharged and shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time as other Town charges.