Code Enforcement Cracks Down On 42 Homes, 3 Hotels In Hampton Bays

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Southampton Town engaged in a serious code enforcement crackdown this week, performing a sweep of 42 homes and 3 motels in Hampton Bays and issuing 215 code violations, Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said.

The effort took place with Town Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator Steven Troyd and code enforcement officers inspecting the properties from Tuesday through Friday, Schneiderman said.

Fines ranged from $100 to $1,000 per violation; some of the violations uncovered included overcrowded housing, illegal rentals, non-functioning smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, blocked emergency exits, excessive vehicles, parking in the front yards and illegal conversions from single family homes to multi-family dwellings, the supervisor said.

“These violations could endanger the lives of the residents living in unsafe conditions,” Schneiderman said. “This will not be tolerated in the Town of Southampton.”

The strategic code compliance enforcement operation resulted in violations issued against 28 landlords, including a repeat offender who was convicted in June for failing to secure rental permits for 8 properties he manages, Schneiderman said.

“Not every property was in violation,” Troyd said. “In fact, 17 properties had no violations.”

In addition, Troyd pointed out that many of the violations found are easy fixes, and the town is working with some of the landlords to bring them into compliance.

But, he said, "This should be a warning to all landlords throughout the town: Make sure you are in compliance with all town codes or you will face fines or incarceration. "

Code enforcement officers, town officials said, conducted “knock and announce” methods to conduct safety inspections.

No forced entry was used at any of the locations, Schneiderman said.

In several instances, the inspections were supported by court approved search warrants.

Southampton Town Police and the town's fire marshall were also involved in the initiative.

“We anticipated that many of these residences would include families with children so we worked closely in planning with school personnel and child protective services,” Troyd added.

In fact, he said, the Suffolk County Department of Social Services was on standby during the operation, but the department was not needed, as no one was removed from any of the premises.

Landlords are to be informed about violations and notified to appear in Southampton Justice Court at a later date, Schneiderman said.

Follow-up visits to each of the sites found in violation are being planned where code officers will conduct future inspections.

“Hampton Bays is not the only area we are concerned about in the town,” Schneiderman said. “We will be checking for code violations in other areas of the town to make sure occupants are safe.”

The sweep follows complaints from various members of the Hampton Bays community who have voiced concerns over crime and quality of life issues.

"Any discussion needs to begin with improving enforcement of violations to housing codes, land use specifications, and zoning laws," Joseph Ruggieri wrote in a letter to the town board. "Hotels continue to be used as apartments, creating tremendous number of unfair burdens to the community. Similar unreasonable burdens exist from overcrowded rental houses."