Riverhead, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 263 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 263-8
Review of application; inspections and issuance of permit
Operative Text
A. The Code Enforcement Official (CEO) or his designee shall review each application for completeness and reject incomplete applications. The Code Enforcement Official (CEO) shall create and approve the application requirements in accordance with this chapter. B. Upon properly filing a completed application with the Rental Housing Division, the Code Enforcement Official (CEO) shall grant a rental occupancy registration valid for 90 days. C. Inspection report. Within 90 days of receiving a temporary rental occupancy registration, the owner of the rental dwelling unit shall: (1) Arrange for an inspection of the unit or units and the premises on which the same are located by the Code Enforcement Official (CEO) or his designee employed by the Town of Riverhead; or (2) Provide to the Code Enforcement Official (CEO) an inspection report designed and approved by the Code Enforcement Official (CEO), signed by either a) a New York State licensed professional engineer; b) a New York State licensed architect; or c) a home inspector, provided entities a), b) or c) have a valid New York State Uniform Fire Prevention Building Code certification either as a Building Safety Inspector or Code Enforcement Official that the structure and the dwelling units contained therein meet all applicable housing, sanitary, building, electrical and fire codes, rules and regulations. Upon receipt of the approved inspection report, the Code Enforcement Official (CEO) shall issue a rental occupancy permit valid for one year from the date of the issuance of the temporary rental occupancy registration. D. Any owner for which a ninety-day valid rental occupancy registration has expired and who has failed to arrange for an approved method of inspection pursuant to § 263-8C of this chapter will be administratively penalized and charged a reregistration submittal fee of $100 per rental unit. No rental occupancy permit will be processed until such fee is paid.
Section 263-8 of Riverhead's Code of Ordinances establishes a two-stage process for rental occupancy authorization: first, a temporary 90-day registration is issued upon receipt of a complete application, and then a full one-year rental occupancy permit is issued once an approved inspection is completed within that 90-day window. The inspection must be conducted either by a Town Code Enforcement Official or by a qualified professional—such as a licensed engineer, architect, or certified home inspector—who confirms the unit meets all applicable housing, building, electrical, fire, and sanitary codes. If the 90-day registration expires before an inspection is arranged, the owner is subject to an administrative penalty of $100 per rental unit before any permit can be processed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 263-8, compliant rental property operators in Riverhead submit a complete application to the Rental Housing Division, obtain the temporary 90-day registration, and promptly schedule either a Town inspection or retain a qualifying licensed professional to produce an approved inspection report—all within that 90-day period. Operators who allow the temporary registration to lapse without completing the inspection step face a $100-per-unit reregistration fee that must be paid before permit processing can resume. Keeping organized records of application submissions, inspection scheduling, and report receipts helps demonstrate timely compliance with the requirements of § 263-8.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 263-8 establishes that rental units in Riverhead are required to pass an inspection confirming compliance with housing, sanitary, building, electrical, and fire codes before a full one-year rental occupancy permit is issued. Tenants who are uncertain whether their unit has a valid rental occupancy permit may inquire with the Town of Riverhead's Rental Housing Division or Code Enforcement office, which administers this process. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New York housing law can help renters understand what options may be available if a unit is being rented without the required permit under § 263-8.
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
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