Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that a resolution adopted by the City Council on September 24, 2025, and signed by the Mayor on September 25, 2025, authorizing the Amendment of Legislation Regarding Building Safety Inspections Currently Conducted by the City's Third-Party Consultant, as follows:
Revision of Inspection Fees.
A. The Department of Buildings' fee schedule is hereby amended to reflect the following inspection fees:
1. Inspection Fee - Multiple Dwelling or Nonresidential Building with fewer than ten (10) dwelling units: $500.00 per building.
2. Additional Fee - For every additional ten (10) dwelling units or portion thereof: $500.00.
Fines for Non-Compliance.
A. Failure to Register:
Owners of multiple dwellings who do not complete registration for inspection within 45 days after receiving the third notice (scheduled for mid-September 2025) shall incur a fine of $1,000 per month until compliance is achieved, to be deposited into Budget Code A2610.2 (Departmental Fines); be, and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND LEGISLATION
REGARDING BUILDING SAFETY INSPECTIONS
CURRENTLY CONDUCTED BY THE CITY’S
THIRD-PARTY CONSULTANT
Whereas, in correspondence dated August 21, 2025, the Commissioner of the Department of Buildings formally requested authorization to revise the City’s building safety inspection program, to adjust inspection fees, and to impose fines on property owners who fail to register for required inspections, thereby ensuring compliance with State and local building safety requirements and protecting public health, safety, and welfare; and
Whereas, the City Council of Mount Vernon previously enacted legislation, pursuant to Section 1203.2(d) of Title 19 NYCRR, authorizing the use of a third-party consultant to perform fire safety and property maintenance inspections of Multiple Dwelling and Nonresidential occupancies to ensure enforcement of the Uniform Code; and
Whereas, Multiple Dwelling and Nonresidential occupancies are required by law to register for such inspections to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents and occupants; and
Whereas, despite extensive outreach efforts by the Building Department and Fire Department-including mailed notices, social media postings, Open Gov announcements, and door-to-door campaigns-less than ten percent (10%) of affected property owners have complied with the registration requirement; and
Whereas, the City has determined that this low compliance rate creates a serious risk to life safety, as these inspections address fire hazards and property maintenance issues that have not been consistently enforced for approximately two decades; and
Whereas, the initial implementation of the third-party inspection program has incurred greater costs than originally anticipated, necessitating adjustments to inspection fees and the establishment of fines for non-compliance to ensure sufficient resources for enforcement; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain and enact:
Section 1. Purpose and Intent. This Ordinance is enacted to revise the City’s building safety inspection program, to adjust inspection fees, and to impose fines on property owners who fail to register for required inspections, thereby ensuring compliance with State and local building safety requirements and protecting public health, safety, and welfare.
Section 2. Revision of Inspection Fees.
B. The Department of Buildings' fee schedule is hereby amended to reflect the following inspection fees:
3. Inspection Fee - Multiple Dwelling or Nonresidential Building with fewer than ten (10) dwelling units: $500.00 per building.
4. Additional Fee - For every additional ten (10) dwelling units or portion thereof: $500.00.
Section 3. Registration Requirement.
A. Owners of all Multiple Dwelling and Nonresidential occupancies listed on the City’s Inspection List are required to register their properties with the Department of Buildings or its designated third-party consultant for safety inspections.
B. Registration must be completed within forty-five (45) days after the third and final notice issued by the City.
Section 4. Fines for Non-Compliance.
B. Failure to Register:
1. Owners of multiple dwellings who do not complete registration for inspection within 45 days after receiving the third notice (scheduled for mid-September 2025) shall incur a fine of $1,000 per month until compliance is achieved, to be deposited into Budget Code A2610.2 (Departmental Fines).
C. Continued Non-Compliance:
1. If the owner fails to register within twelve (12) months after the third notice, the property will remain subject to escalating enforcement measures as determined by the City.
2. The City may place a lien on the property for unpaid fines pursuant to applicable law.
Section 5. Enforcement Authority. The Commissioner of the Department of Buildings, in coordination with the Fire Department and the City’s third-party consultant, shall have the authority to enforce this Ordinance and to adopt any necessary rules and procedures to implement its provisions.
Section 6. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this Ordinance is adjudged invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of this Ordinance.
Section 7. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.