18 Questions With Code Enforcement
Director Neal Smith
Q: What are the duties of the Code Enforcement Department?
A:
Code Enforcement has three main responsibilities:
1 - To enforce the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention
and Building Code,
2 - to regulate property maintenance standards imposed
by local codes and ordinances of the City of Oswego, and
3 - to evaluate fire damaged or unsafe buildings and take
appropriate action, as needed.
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Q: When do I need to obtain
a building permit?
A: A building permit, by law, is needed whenever a building is constructed,
altered, or converted to different use. An alteration would be a change to an
existing structure: for example, modifying a room by subdividing it with a wall.
A conversion is changing a structure from one occupancy class to another: for
example, constructing a restaurant in a former retail store.
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Q: What other permits does
Code Enforcement offer?
A: We offer demolition permits which are required whenever a building is razed,
and Rental Permits (see below.)
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Q: What types of work are
exempt from the building permit requirement?
A: Repairs and cosmetic work such as sheetrock
installation, painting, roofing, siding, or replacing structural elements with
similar materials are all exempt. An example of this is removing boards from a
porch deck and replacing them with others of the same dimension.
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Q: How long is building
permit good for?
A: A building permit is good for one year.
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Q: What are the consequences
for violating the building codes or local ordinances?
A: Typically, we issue an order to remedy
or repair the violation within a certain period of time. Failure comply could
result in fines or incarceration, but every effort is made to work with the owner
to correct the problem and avoid these penalties.
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Q: How is the public notified
of a dangerous structure?
A: Bright orange signs will surround a structure that has been deemed unsafe,
that warn of the buildings treacherous condition. No one should enter a building
that has these clearly marked precautionary signs.
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Q: What prompted the development
of building codes?
A: Fire related disasters which involved great loss of life and property damage.
Codes were tailored to limit death and destruction.
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Q: Where can I get more
information on Building and Safety issues?
A: The Code Enforcement Department, located on the third
floor of City Hall, is open from 9-5 Monday through Friday, and he can be reached
at 342-8163. Also, check out the New York State Division of Codes and Enforcement
Website for more info.
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Q: What is a rental permit?
A: A rental
permit is issued by the City of Oswego to certify that a living unit meets minimum
housing standards.
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Q: Who needs to apply for
a rental permit?
A: All owners of rental properties including: single family, two family, multiple
residences, rooming houses, fraternities, and sororties.
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Q: How do I apply for a
rental permit?
A:
Call the Code Enforcement Office at (315) 342-8178 or stop by the third floor
of City Hall to request an application. Currently there is no cost for this service.
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Q: How can I insure that
the apartment that I intend to rent has been inspected, and has a valid rental
permit?
A: A quick
search of our database will reveal if a property is in compliance with rental
permit law.
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Q: Can I call the and request
an inspection by the Housing Inspector before I rent?
A: Yes, complimentary inspections
can be scheduled through our office.
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Q: If housing violations
are found after an inspection how long does the owner have to correct them?
A: If the violations
are not corrected within thirty days upon receipt of notice, owners risk revocation
of the Rental Permit.
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Q: How long is a rental
permit valid for?
A:Three years from the date of issue.
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Q: Can tenants be cited
for housing violations?
A: Yes, tenants have a responsibility to maintain a living unit in clean, safe,
and sanitary manner.
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Q: Where can I get more
information on Rental Permit issues?
A: The Code Enforcement Department, located on the third floor
of City Hall, is open from 9-5 Monday through Friday, and he can be reached at
342-8163. Also, Housing Inspector Pat Kelly can be reached directly at 342-8178
or e-mailed at pkelly@oswego.org
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