West Haverstraw, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 186 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 186-11
Penalties for offenses
Operative Text
A. Any person, association, firm or corporation which violates any provision of this article, or assists in the violation of any provision of this article, shall be punishable as follows: (1) By a fine of not more than $2,000 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both, for conviction of a first offense. (2) By a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both, for conviction of a second offense, provided the first and second offenses were committed within a period of five years of each other. (3) By a fine of not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed 15 days, or both, for conviction of the third or subsequent offense or a series of offenses, all of which were committed within a period of five years. B. Alternative sentence. If a person, including any corporation, partnership, limited-liability company, or any other legal entity has gained money or property through the commission of any violation involving an illegal residential occupancy or an illegal over-occupancy of a dwelling, then, upon conviction thereof, the court, in lieu of imposing the fine authorized for the offense under this code, may sentence the defendant to pay an amount, fixed by the court, not exceeding double the amount of the defendant's gain from the commission of the offense, as such gain is reasonably determined by the court. C. Each month that a violation continues to exist shall constitute a separate and distinct violation.
West Haverstraw, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 186 § 186-11 establishes a tiered penalty structure for violations of the article's provisions. A first offense can result in a fine up to $2,000 and/or up to 15 days imprisonment, a second offense (within five years of the first) can bring fines up to $5,000 and/or 15 days imprisonment, and a third or subsequent offense within a five-year window can carry fines up to $10,000 and/or 15 days imprisonment. Where a violator has financially gained from an illegal residential or over-occupancy situation, a court may instead impose a fine of up to double the amount of that gain. Notably, each month a violation persists counts as a separate offense under § 186-11(C).
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in West Haverstraw should be aware that § 186-11 imposes escalating financial and criminal penalties for each violation of the article, with fines rising from $2,000 for a first offense up to $10,000 for repeated offenses within a five-year period. Because § 186-11(C) treats each continuing month as a distinct violation, operators who maintain compliant occupancy levels and promptly correct any cited deficiencies generally avoid the compounding exposure that comes with unresolved violations. Where illegal occupancy has generated financial gain, courts are empowered to substitute a fine of up to twice that gain, making swift remediation a standard practice among compliant operators.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under West Haverstraw, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 186 § 186-11, individuals and entities—including landlords—who violate the article's provisions are subject to fines, potential imprisonment, and escalating penalties for repeat or continuing offenses. Tenants who believe a landlord is maintaining an illegal residential occupancy or over-occupancy situation may have grounds to raise the violation with local code enforcement authorities, as each month the violation continues can be treated as a separate offense. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents of West Haverstraw understand how § 186-11's penalty framework may be relevant to their housing situation.
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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