Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 420 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 420-8
Exemptions
Operative Text
A. A building which has accidentally suffered fire damage or damage caused by extreme weather conditions shall be exempt from the registration requirement for a period of 120 days after the fire or extreme weather event if the property owner submits a written request to the Building Department. B. A property for which a building permit has issued and work is actively progressing shall be exempt from the registration requirement for the duration of the building permit period. Vacant building and storefront fees may continue to accrue at the discretion of the Building Department, if they find an unwarranted delay has occurred or if the owner has failed to diligently progress towards a reuse. C. Temporary Pop-up retail shall be permitted subject to a Temporary Use Permit in a vacant building or storefront, but not be considered full occupancy satisfying the intent of this local law. D. A property or building for which an application for site plan, subdivision, and/or special-use permit is actively under consideration by the Village of Sleepy Hollow Planning Board or the Board of Trustees, provided it is diligently progressing. E. A property or building owned by, leased, or otherwise temporarily used by the Village of Sleepy Hollow or the Sleepy Hollow Local Development Corporation.
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 420 § 420-8 establishes several categories of properties that are temporarily or permanently exempt from the village's vacant building registration requirement. These include fire- or weather-damaged buildings (for up to 120 days with a written request), properties under active construction permits, those with pending planning or land-use applications that are diligently progressing, and properties owned or used by the Village or the Sleepy Hollow Local Development Corporation. Temporary pop-up retail under a Temporary Use Permit is allowed in vacant spaces but does not count as full occupancy under the ordinance, and fee accrual during construction can continue if the Building Department determines progress has stalled.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers should be aware that § 420-8 provides specific, limited pathways to avoid or pause registration obligations for vacant buildings and storefronts. To claim the fire or extreme-weather exemption, a written request must be submitted to the Building Department within the 120-day window following the damaging event. Owners relying on active building permits or pending planning applications should document that work or review is genuinely and continuously progressing, since the Building Department retains discretion under § 420-8(B) to continue assessing fees if it finds unwarranted delays or a lack of diligent effort toward reuse.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants and community members, § 420-8 defines the boundaries of when a property owner in Sleepy Hollow can lawfully sidestep the vacant building registration process. Understanding these exemptions can be relevant when evaluating whether a nearby vacant property is being properly regulated or whether an owner may be improperly claiming an exemption. Those with concerns about a specific property's compliance can contact the Sleepy Hollow Building Department directly, or consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Westchester County housing regulations for general guidance on how § 420-8 applies.
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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