What to Report
Like any community, the Village of Massena has enacted local laws to help guide appropriate conduct of our citizens. By understanding those laws, the residents of Massena are better able to both adhere to them and properly deal with neighbors who might be knowingly or unknowingly violating them. The complete Village Code can be found online.
Juvenile Curfew
Like many communities across the United States, the Village of Massena has a Juvenile Curfew ordinance that was first enacted in September of 1969 and then updated by local law on August 18, 2012. The purpose of the law is to encourage parents / guardians make sure their children are safely inside at night by requiring that anyone age 15 or younger not be unnecessarily loitering on Village streets, alleys or public places, like parks and playgrounds.
Though there are exceptions based on constitutional rights, the essence of the law is that any child under 16 years of age can not loiter or remain in or upon any of the streets, alleys or public places in the Village of Massena between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. For details on the curfew law and its penalties, see Chapter 130 in the Village Code.
Animals
Chapter 92 of the Village Code was initially enacted in 1969 and updated in 2001 to define the regulations and restrictions in regard to the activities of animals and their owners within the Village. The code covers the Animal Control Officer's duties, restrictions on animals that are permitted within the village, proper care / treatment of pets and nuisance issues -- like, cats and dogs going onto the property of people other than the owners. To learn more about what is expected of Village pet owners and how to file a complaint, please see Chapter 92 of the Village Code.
Noise
As detailed in the code, Massena's Noise ordinance was enacted to make neighborhood living more enjoyable for all by restricting what would be considered annoying noise. You should review Chapter 200 for complete information; but, for your convenience, the following are classified as Prohibited Acts:
The Village Code also provides for the manner in which properties should be maintained. Chapter 186 Section 43 deals specifically with those situations that would be deemed "Nuisances" and prohibited within the Incorporated Village of Massena, some of which are:
Chapter 186-19 also deals with the required Exterior Protection residents must provide for housing units in the Village. Among the requirements are maintaining the exterior walls to prevent deterioration due to the elements and destructive insects by keeping it painted; keeping foundation walls structurally sound to prevent entrance of moisture, termites and vermin; and, making sure roofs are maintained in watertight condition.
In addition, the Village has an Unsafe Building Law that appears in Chapter 120 and defines the defects in Section 4 that would be considered unsafe. Some of the defects outlined are:
Juvenile Curfew
Like many communities across the United States, the Village of Massena has a Juvenile Curfew ordinance that was first enacted in September of 1969 and then updated by local law on August 18, 2012. The purpose of the law is to encourage parents / guardians make sure their children are safely inside at night by requiring that anyone age 15 or younger not be unnecessarily loitering on Village streets, alleys or public places, like parks and playgrounds.
Though there are exceptions based on constitutional rights, the essence of the law is that any child under 16 years of age can not loiter or remain in or upon any of the streets, alleys or public places in the Village of Massena between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. For details on the curfew law and its penalties, see Chapter 130 in the Village Code.
Animals
Chapter 92 of the Village Code was initially enacted in 1969 and updated in 2001 to define the regulations and restrictions in regard to the activities of animals and their owners within the Village. The code covers the Animal Control Officer's duties, restrictions on animals that are permitted within the village, proper care / treatment of pets and nuisance issues -- like, cats and dogs going onto the property of people other than the owners. To learn more about what is expected of Village pet owners and how to file a complaint, please see Chapter 92 of the Village Code.
Noise
As detailed in the code, Massena's Noise ordinance was enacted to make neighborhood living more enjoyable for all by restricting what would be considered annoying noise. You should review Chapter 200 for complete information; but, for your convenience, the following are classified as Prohibited Acts:
- Any unnecessary noise from any source between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day
- Noise from a dog or other pet animal that is continuous and exceeds 15 minutes
- Noise from a burglar alarm or other alarm system of any building, motor vehicle, or boat that is continuous and exceeds 15 minutes
- Noise from any sound reproduction system, operating or playing any radio, portable radio or tape player, television, tape deck or similar device that reproduces or amplifies sound in such a manner as to be heard 60 feet from its source or over any property line
- The erection - including excavation, demolition, alteration or repair - of any building other than between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., except in case of a public safety and emergency
- The operation of power equipment in residential zones outdoors between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day, and on weekends between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- The sounding of any horn or signaling device of an automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle for any unnecessary or unreasonable period of time
- The making of improper noise or disturbance or operating an automobile or motorcycle in such a manner as to cause excessive squealing or other excessive noise of the tires
- Offering for sale anything by shouting or out-crying upon the public streets and sidewalks
The Village Code also provides for the manner in which properties should be maintained. Chapter 186 Section 43 deals specifically with those situations that would be deemed "Nuisances" and prohibited within the Incorporated Village of Massena, some of which are:
- Uncut grass, weeds, brush or any portion of said growth to obtain a height in excess of 12 inches.
- Boats or motor vehicles or portions thereof to be parked or stored for unreasonable periods of time or to be parked or stored if it is abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, junked or substantially damaged and is not intended to be used or in no condition for legal use upon the public highway.
- Accumulations of brush, tree stumps, or other vegetative waste or rubble or construction waste that is maintained beyond normally scheduled garbage removal.
- Accumulations of junk, old metals or machinery, rags or newspapers.
Chapter 186-19 also deals with the required Exterior Protection residents must provide for housing units in the Village. Among the requirements are maintaining the exterior walls to prevent deterioration due to the elements and destructive insects by keeping it painted; keeping foundation walls structurally sound to prevent entrance of moisture, termites and vermin; and, making sure roofs are maintained in watertight condition.
In addition, the Village has an Unsafe Building Law that appears in Chapter 120 and defines the defects in Section 4 that would be considered unsafe. Some of the defects outlined are:
- Open at the doorways making it accessible or an object of attraction to minors, vagrants and/or other trespassers
- Damaged by fire, wind or other causes so as to have become dangerous to life, safety or the general health and welfare of the occupants or the people of this Village
- Has become or is so dilapidated, decayed, unsafe or unsanitary, or utterly fails to provide the amenities essential to decent living that it is unfit for human habitation or is likely to cause sickness or disease so as to work injury to the health, safety or general welfare of those living therein or adjacent thereto
- Has parts which have become so detached they may fail and injure members of the public or others' property
- Is or may become a place of rodent infestation