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Village of North Collins, NY
Erie County
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This chapter shall be known as the "Minimum Housing Standards Applicable to Residential Premises in the Village of North Collins, New York."
The purpose of this chapter is to provide basic and uniform standards, in terms of performance objectives implemented by specific requirements, governing the condition, occupancy and maintenance of residential premises, and establishing reasonable safeguards for the safety, health and welfare of the occupants and users thereof.
A. 
This chapter shall apply to residential premises as follows:
(1) 
Lots, plots or parcels of land on which residential buildings, buildings of mixed occupancy or accessory structures are located.
(2) 
Residential buildings, including one- and two-family dwellings and multiple dwellings, except as specifically excluded in § 103-4.
(3) 
Residential occupancies in buildings of mixed occupancy.
(4) 
Accessory structures, accessory to residential occupancies.
B. 
Every portion of a building, accessory structure or premises, used or intended to be used for any dwelling purposes, shall comply with the provisions of these standards, irrespective of when such a building shall have been built, altered or repaired.
This chapter shall not apply to mobile homes and mobile home courts or to transient-type occupancies and uses, including but not limited to nursing and convalescent homes, hotels, motels, tourist camps, farm labor camps, travel trailers and trailer parks and other forms of temporary housing.
A. 
The provisions of this chapter shall supersede local laws, ordinances, codes or regulations to the extent that such laws, ordinances, codes or regulations are inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the adoption and enforcement of a law, ordinance, code or regulation which is more restrictive or establishes a higher standard than those provided in this chapter, and such more restrictive requirement or higher standard shall govern during the period in which it is in effect.
B. 
Where a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with a provision of a zoning, building, electrical, plumbing, fire, safety, health, water supply or sewage disposal law or ordinance or regulation adopted pursuant thereto, or other local law, ordinance, code or regulation, the provision or requirement which is more restrictive or which establishes the higher standard shall prevail.
Installations, alterations and repairs to residential premises, and materials, assemblies and equipment utilized in connection therewith, shall be reasonably safe to persons and property, and in conformity with applicable statutes of the State of New York and orders, rules and regulations issued by authority thereof. Conformity of such work, materials, assemblies or equipment with the applicable requirements of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code shall be prima facie evidence that the same is reasonably safe to person and property.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A structure, the use of which is incidental to that of the residential building, and which is located on the same premises.
ACCESSORY USE
A use, occupancy or tenancy customarily incidental to the principal use or occupancy of a residential building. Such "accessory uses" may include, among others, the following:
A. 
Offices of the building management.
B. 
Dining rooms, banquet rooms, public kitchens and ballrooms.
C. 
Recreation and play rooms.
D. 
Laundries for the use of tenants and occupants and in connection with the management and operation of a residential building.
E. 
Rooms or space for the incidental sale or display of merchandise to occupants, such as newspaper, candy and cigar stands.
F. 
Maintenance and work shops. Storerooms for linen, bedding, furniture, supplies and tenants' equipment and effects.
G. 
Garages within a residential building or on the premises thereof used primarily for the storage of passenger-type motor vehicles.
APPROVED
Approved by the Village Board under the regulations of this chapter.
BASEMENT
That space of a building that is partly below grade which has more than half its height, measured from the floor to ceiling, above the average curb level or finished grade of the ground adjoining the building.
BATHROOM
Enclosed space containing one or more bathtubs or showers, or both, and may also contain water closets, lavatories or fixtures serving similar purposes. (See definition of "toilet room.")
BUILDING
A structure wholly enclosed within exterior walls and a roof, affording shelter to persons, animals or property.
CELLAR
That space of a building that is partly or entirely below grade, which has more than half of its height, measured from floor to ceiling, below the average established curb level or finished grade of the ground adjoining the building.
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY
A building containing not more than one dwelling unit occupied exclusively for residential purposes and not smaller than 750 square feet.
[Amended 7-16-2018 by L.L. No. 2-2018]
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A building containing not more than two dwelling units occupied exclusively for residential purposes.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms with provisions for living, cooking, sanitary and sleeping facilities arranged for the use of one family.
EXIT
A way of departure from the interior of a building or structure, at the exterior at the street or grade, including doorways, ramps, fire escapes and all other elements necessary for egress or escape.
FAMILY
A household constituting a single housekeeping unit occupied by one or more persons.
GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARD
A specification, code, rule, guide or procedure in the field of construction or related thereto, recognized and accepted as authoritative, and in conformity with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and such other codes adopted by the Village of North Collins.
GRADE, FINISHED
Natural surface of the ground or surface of the ground after completion of any change in contour, abutting building or premises.
HABITABLE SPACE
Space occupied by one or more persons for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Kitchenettes shall not be deemed to be "habitable space." (See definitions of "noninhabitable space," "public space" and "exit.")
INFESTATION
The presence, within or contiguous to a dwelling, dwelling unit, lodging house, lodging unit or premises, of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests.
KITCHEN
Space, 60 square feet or more in floor area, with a minimum width of five feet, used for cooking or preparation of food.
KITCHENETTE
Space, less than 60 square feet in floor area, used for cooking or preparation of food.
LODGING HOUSE
A multiple dwelling used primarily for the purpose of furnishing lodging, with or without meals, for compensation.
LODGING UNIT
A room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit, used or intended to be used for lodging.
MIXED OCCUPANCY
Occupancy of a building in part for residential use and in part for some other use not accessory thereto.
MULTIPLE DWELLING
A. 
Building containing three or more dwelling units.
B. 
Building containing living, sanitary and sleeping facilities occupied by one or two families and more than four lodgers residing with either one of such families.
C. 
Building with one or more sleeping rooms, other than a one- or two-family dwelling, used or occupied by permanent or transient paying guests or tenants.
D. 
Building with sleeping accommodations for more than five persons used or occupied as a club, dormitory, fraternity or sorority house or for similar uses.
E. 
Building used or occupied as a convalescent, old-age, nursing or boarding home not including private or public hospitals or public institutions. (See § 103-4 for certain multiple dwellings not within the scope of this chapter.)
MULTIPLE RESIDENCE
See "multiple dwelling."
MUNICIPALITY
The Village of North Collins.
NONINHABITABLE SPACE
Space used as kitchenettes; pantries, bath, toilet, laundry, rest, dressing, locker, storage, utility, heater and boiler rooms; closets; and other spaces for service and maintenance of the building and those spaces used for access and vertical travel between stories. (See definitions of "habitable space," "public space" and "exit.")
OCCUPANT
Any person living, sleeping, cooking or eating in or having actual possession of a dwelling unit or rooming unit.
OPERATOR
Any person who has charge, care or control of a multiple residence or rooming house, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let or offered for occupancy.
OWNER
Owner or owners of record of the freehold of the premises or lesser estate therein, a mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee or other person, firm or corporation in control of a building.
PLUMBING SYSTEM
The water supply system, the drainage system, the vent system, fixtures and traps, including their respective connections, devices and appurtenances within the property lines of the premises.
POTABLE WATER
Water which is approved for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes.
PUBLIC SPACE
Space within a residential building for public use, such as lobbies, lounges and reception, ball, meeting, lecture and recreation rooms, banquet and dining rooms and their kitchens and swimming pools.
SEWAGE
Liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution and which may include industrial wastes and liquids containing chemicals.
STRUCTURE
An assembly of materials forming a construction framed of component parts for occupancy or use, including buildings.
TOILET ROOM
Enclosed space containing one or more water closets, which may also contain one or more lavatories, urinals and other plumbing fixtures. (See definition of "bathroom.")
VENTILATION
Supply and removal of air to and from a space by natural or mechanical means.
VENTILATION, MECHANICAL
Ventilation by power-driven devices.
VENTILATION, NATURAL
Ventilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights, doors, louvers or stacks with or without wind-driven devices.