Southampton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 270 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 270-19

A. A violation of this chapter by any owner, person, managing agent, designee, or tenant shall be punishable as follows: (1) A violation of § 270-5A is hereby declared to be a violation level offense punishable by a fine not less than $150 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both, for a conviction of a first offense, and shall be considered a lesser included offense of all violations of this section; (2) A violation of § 270-5A(1) is hereby declared to be an offense punishable by a fine not less than $1,500 nor more than $8,000 or imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both, for a conviction of a first offense; (3) A violation of any section of this chapter other than § 270-5A and/or § 270-5A(1) is hereby declared to be an offense punishable by a fine not less than $3,000 nor more than $15,000 or imprisonment not to exceed a period of six months, or both, for a conviction of a first offense. (4) A second or subsequent violation of this chapter within an eighteen-month period is hereby declared to be an offense punishable by a fine not less than $8,000 nor more than $30,000 or imprisonment not to exceed a period of six months, or both. (5) For the purpose of conferring jurisdiction upon courts and judicial officers in general, violations of this chapter, other than § 270-5A and/or § 270-5A(1) , shall be deemed misdemeanors and, for such purpose only, all provisions of law relating to misdemeanors shall apply. Each day's continued violation shall constitute a separate additional violation. (6) In addition to any fines imposed, anyone convicted pursuant to this chapter shall be required to pay a mandatory community housing opportunity surcharge of $100. The community housing opportunity surcharge shall be paid to the Clerk of the Court or administrative tribunal that rendered the conviction. Within the first 10 days of the month following collection of the mandatory surcharge, the collecting authority shall then pay such money to the Town Comptroller, who shall then deposit such money in accordance with the provisions of § 216-6 of the Town Code. B. Additionally, in lieu of imposing the fines authorized in § 270-19A , in accordance with Penal Law § 80.05(5) , the court may sentence the defendant(s) to pay an amount, fixed by the court, no less than the applicable minimum statutory fine permitted under § 270-19A nor more than double the amount of the rent collected over the term of the occupancy. C. The court may dismiss the violation or reduce the minimum fine imposed where it finds that the defendant had cooperated with the Town of Southampton in the investigation and prosecution of a violation of this chapter. Factors which the court may consider include, but are not limited to, a report from the office of the Town Attorney confirming that the defendant did in fact cooperate and whether: (1) The defendant reported the violation(s) to the Town of Southampton; (2) The defendant assisted the Town of Southampton in investigating and prosecuting the violation(s); (3) The defendant provided access to the rental property; (4) The defendant promptly pursued his/her/its own rights under the lease to remedy the violation or adequately pursued an eviction proceeding; (5) All violations existing at the rental property have been promptly remediated. D. Where authorized by a duly adopted resolution of the Town Board, the Town Attorney may bring and maintain a civil proceeding, in the name of the Town, in the Supreme Court, to permanently enjoin the person or persons conducting, maintaining or permitting said violation. The owner and tenants of the residence wherein the violation is conducted, maintained or permitted may be made defendants in the action. (1) If a finding is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the defendants or any of them has caused, permitted, or allowed a violation of this chapter, a penalty to be jointly and severally included in the judgment may be awarded at the discretion of the court in an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each day it is found that the defendants or any one of them individually caused, permitted or allowed the violation. Upon recovery, such penalty shall be paid into the Town Attorney's Enforcement Fund.