Code Enforcement

Matthew Fischione

Lancaster Code Enforcement Officer

mfischione@lancasterny.gov

716-684-4171

Services Offered

  • Public Nuisance Compliants
  • Vacant Properties inspections
  • 3 Year Commercial Property Inspections
  • Stormwater Inspections
  • Rodent abatement inspections
  • Vehicle Storage Permits
  • Abandoned vehicle
  • Overgrown/neglected property
  • Wireless Tower Permits
  • Investigating Historic Preservation complaints and concerns
  • Investigating all property complaints and issuing citations as applicable. Conducting follow up inspections of violations. Where required, issuing court summons for violations and participate in the court process through resolution

Village of Lancaster Code Enforcement addresses complaints and alleged violations for validity and resolution per zoning codes and property maintenance compliance, if  there is a violation and it is not corrected we will bring the property owner into court and the judge will decide the final disposition.

Town of Lancaster Building Department
Code Concerns

PLEASE NOTE THAT Code Enforcement Department DOES NOT RESPOND TO COMPLAINTS MADE ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.  COMPLAINTS MUST BE FILED IN THE OFFICE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE INVESTIGATED AND ADDRESSED PROPERLY. 

Report Vacant/Abandoned “Zombie” Properties

The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has established a hotline for residents to report vacant/abandoned properties in your neighborhood.  The number is 800-342-3736.  A newly adopted State Law provides DFS with the authority to require the bank or mortgage holder to inspect, secure and maintain a property that is determined to be vacant and abandoned or face a penalty of up to $500 per day for each day the violation exists.

The Erie County Clerk’s ZOMBIES Initiative is a collaboration between the Office of Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns and the Western New York Law Center. The primary goal and purpose of this collaboration is to provide resources to Erie County municipalities and communities facing zombie foreclosures.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS ERIE COUNTY’S WEBSITE TO REPORT A ZOMBIE HOME.

Rodent Control

RATS/Rodent Control Information

Contact the Erie County Department of Health directly at (716-961-6800).  Only Erie County can bait your property. The Village cannot.  The County has requested that residents contact them directly.

You should also contact the Code Enforcement Department (716-367-0697). A Code Enforcement Officer will be happy to look at your property to confirm the presence of rats on your property, and/or possible habitats or food sources.  The Village of Lancaster does not bait properties, nor do we have authority to enter onto private property without the consent of the owner or other person residing on that property.

Please be aware that, during dry spells, rats become bold as they search for water. You are more likely to see rats out during periods of high temperature and little rain. If you run your sprinkler, be careful not to let water pool on the concrete as this will attract rodents.

You can also help to keep rats out of your neighborhood by following some simple steps:

  • KEEP THE LID CLOSED! This simple step will eliminate access to your garbage (a primary rodent food source).
  • PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET. Pick up any animal waste in your yard. This is also a food source for rats.
  • RAISE WOOD PILES OFF OF THE GROUND Rats like to live in wood piles.
  • SKIP THE BIRDSEED! Bird seed (and bread) spills over onto the ground attracting rats. Please note that under Erie County and Village law, bird feeders can only be used which are designed to prevent seed from dropping out of the feeder.
  • CUT DOWN WEEDS. Overgrowth of weeds is a prime harbor for rats. Please cut down weeds located on your property. Typical problem areas include that space behind your garage and around/between fences.
  • DON’T ALLOW WATER TO POOL/COLLECT. especially during dry spells. Rats are looking for water sources and a puddle area on your driveway or patio will attract them. Do not leave out water for your pets or for birds as this will attract rats, too.
  • LET US KNOW IF YOU SEE A RAT– Or if you observe your neighbors violating any of the above steps. While the Village cannot bait, we may be able to help identify the source location of the rats and will send out literature to advise your neighbors to the problem and to remind them of steps needing to be taken to get rid of the problem.
  • DON’T LEAVE FOOD or WATER OUTSIDE FOR CATS or DOGS – Leaving food/water outside for animals is an invitation to rats! It’s also illegal to ground feed animals.

If you see a rat, here’s what you should do:

Call the Erie County Department of Health (716-961-6800).  The County can bait your property.

Call Code Enforcement Department (716-367-0697).  We will inspect the property to see if we can locate the source of the rats.  In addition, we can send out literature to your neighbors to let them know that there has been a rat sighting and what steps they can do to help eliminate the presence of rats in your vicinity.

A link to Erie County Rabies, Rodents, Vectors, Arboviruses and Related Information

https://www3.erie.gov/health/rabies-rodents-vectors-arboviruses-and-related-information