West Seneca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 71 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 71-6
Enforcement
Operative Text
A. Filing of complaints. (1) The Town of West Seneca or its designee shall receive, investigate and refer complaints under this chapter. The Supervisor shall designate a not-for-profit fair housing organization or the Affirmative Action Officer of the Town of West Seneca to perform the function contained in this section. (2) Any person or organization, whether or not an aggrieved party, may file with the Supervisor's designee a complaint of a violation of this chapter. (3) The Supervisor's designee may investigate individual instances and patterns of conduct prohibited by this chapter, even without a complaint from another person or organization, and may initiate complaints in connection therewith. B. Investigation. The Supervisor's designee shall notify the accused party, in writing, within five (5) days of the filing of any complaint. The designee shall make prompt investigation in connection with the complaint. If, during or after the investigation, the designee believes that appropriate action to preserve the status quo or to prevent irreparable harm is advisable, the designee shall advise the Town Attorney, in writing, to bring immediately, in the name of the Town of West Seneca, any action necessary to preserve such status quo or to prevent such harm, including the seeking of temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. C. Action. If, at the conclusion of the investigation, the Supervisor's designee shall determine that there is probable cause to credit the allegation of the complaint, the designee shall certify the matter to the Town Attorney, who shall institute proceedings in the name of the Town of West Seneca.
West Seneca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 71 § 71-6 establishes a formal process for receiving, investigating, and acting on fair housing complaints within the Town of West Seneca. Complaints may be filed by any person or organization, and the Supervisor's designee—either a not-for-profit fair housing organization or the Town's Affirmative Action Officer—can also open investigations on its own initiative. If an investigation uncovers probable cause to support a complaint, the matter is referred to the Town Attorney, who may bring legal proceedings on behalf of the Town, including seeking emergency court relief to preserve the status quo or prevent irreparable harm.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under West Seneca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 71 § 71-6, a property owner or manager who is the subject of a complaint will receive written notice from the Supervisor's designee within five days of that complaint being filed. Operators who maintain clear, consistent, and non-discriminatory policies and documentation are generally better positioned to respond to any investigation that follows. Being aware that the designee can initiate investigations without a third-party complaint—and that the Town Attorney may seek emergency injunctive relief—underscores the importance of ongoing compliance with the chapter's requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
West Seneca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 71 § 71-6 gives any person or organization the ability to file a fair housing complaint with the Supervisor's designee, regardless of whether the filer is the directly aggrieved party. Tenants who believe a violation has occurred can reach out to the designated not-for-profit fair housing organization or the Town's Affirmative Action Officer to initiate the complaint process. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with local fair housing procedures can help individuals understand what information to gather and what to expect during the investigation process described in this section.
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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