Rye, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 108 § 108-47
Duties of Building Inspector
Operative Text
It shall be the duty of the Building Inspector: A. To cause periodic inspections to be made, not less than once every five years, of all premises within the scope of applicable housing standards. B. To cause an investigation of all complaints of alleged housing violations or other unsafe or insanitary conditions. C. To order in writing the remedying of all conditions found to exist in or on any premises in violation of the provisions of this chapter or of the rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Buildings; to state in the violation order a reasonable time for compliance therewith; and, where necessary, to order the vacation of premises found unfit for human habitation. D. To request the Corporation Counsel to take appropriate legal action in the name of the City upon failure of the responsible party to comply with such violation order within the time specified therein. E. To cause a search of said Department's records of housing violations on any premises and to issue a certified statement thereof upon receipt of a written request and payment of any fees required by the City. F. To study housing conditions in the City. G. To cooperate with other municipal, governmental and private agencies engaged in the study and improvement of housing conditions. H. To submit to the City Manager an annual report of housing conditions in the City, accomplishments of the Department of Buildings and recommendations for the future.
Section 108-47 of Rye, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 108 establishes the formal duties of the Building Inspector with respect to housing oversight. The Inspector is required to conduct periodic inspections of all covered premises at least once every five years, investigate housing-violation complaints, and issue written orders requiring correction of any violations within a reasonable timeframe. When premises are found unfit for human habitation, the Inspector may order them vacated, and if a responsible party fails to comply, the matter may be referred to the Corporation Counsel for legal action on behalf of the City.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 108-47, the Building Inspector has a standing mandate to inspect all covered properties on a cycle of at least once every five years, meaning compliant operators generally maintain their properties in continuous conformance with Chapter 108 standards rather than preparing only when an inspection is anticipated. When a violation order is issued, it will specify a reasonable compliance deadline in writing, and operators who address cited conditions within that window avoid referral to the Corporation Counsel for legal action. Keeping documentation of repairs, maintenance records, and correspondence with the Department of Buildings supports a clear record of responsiveness to any orders issued under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 108-47 gives tenants a concrete avenue for addressing unsafe or unsanitary conditions: the Building Inspector is expressly required to investigate all complaints of alleged housing violations, so filing a complaint with the Rye Department of Buildings can trigger an official investigation. If a violation is confirmed, the Inspector must issue a written remediation order with a compliance deadline, and if the responsible party does not comply, the matter can be escalated to the Corporation Counsel for legal action in the City's name. Tenants seeking to understand the violation history of a specific property may also request a certified record search from the Department of Buildings under this same provision, which can be useful when consulting a tenant-rights organization or housing advocate.
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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