Suffolk County Town & Building Code Violation Lawyer

New York Rental Permit and Building Code Violation Attorney

If you have received a summons for an alleged town or village code violation, you could be facing substantial fines and other serious consequences. Since town and village code violations are prosecuted as criminal cases in New York, it pays to have an experienced lawyer on your side.

I am Harold A. Steuerwald, a Suffolk County town and building code violation attorney serving clients throughout Long Island. Having served as counsel to several local towns, I understand the municipal code system, and I know how to defend clients accused of such violations. As a former Deputy Town Attorney for the towns of Brookhaven and Riverhead, I was responsible for prosecuting hundreds of cases against individuals for violating various sections of the ordinances of those towns. Today, I use that experience to defend individuals and businesses that have been accused of violating town and village codes.

Helping Clients Avoid or Reduce Fines and Other Consequences

Each town and village in New York has an enforcement department that is in charge of assessing properties and individuals for alleged code violations. It is not uncommon for a municipality to write multiple tickets on one property, claiming multiple violations.

You can choose to pay the fine and make the requested modifications. However, you can also fight the ticket. I am prepared to help you apply for relief and litigate your case if necessary. I defend clients who have been charged with all types of code violations, including the following:

• Building code violations: Property owners accused of violating construction and occupancy rules for residential and commercial buildings can incur substantial fines and penalties. If you have been given a ticket for an alleged building code violation, I can help.
• Rental code violations: If you have been issued a summons for accepting renters without a rental permit, exceeding the maximum number of occupants or any other rental property violation, I will explain your options and ensure that your rights are protected.
• Multi-family code violations: If you have been issued a summons for maintaining a dwelling as a two or three family dwelling or a rooming house in violation of the zoning code, I can explain your options and help you choose the best course of action.
• Fire code violations: If you have a business that has been issued a summons for any type of fire code violation, such as lack of a public assembly permit or failure to have the proper extinguishing or fire detection system, I can help you get the proper permits and approvals to keep your business operating and protect your rights by defending you in court.
• Injunctions and civil actions: If a town or village has obtained an injunction in order to halt further construction or to close your business pending a determination of the matter in either the local District Court or in the Supreme Court, I can help defend you and assist you in obtaining the necessary permits and approvals that may be necessary for you to continue construction or to keep your business up and running.

My experience includes serving as a Deputy Town Attorney in the towns of Brookhaven and Riverhead and as the Village Attorney of Patchogue. For skilled guidance through the process of contesting a town or village code violation ticket, please contact my Suffolk County office at 631-286-0800.