The Village of Massapequa Park board of trustees has acknowledged that "serious conditions" arising from illegal occupancies exists in the village.

Towards that end, the BOT has approved a Local Law No. 6 that is designed to curtail such occupancies in both single and one-family dwellings. The law was adopted at the Oct. 6 public meeting.

In short, the BOT has declared that the problem stems from the rental of dwelling units that are "substandard, inadequate in size, overcrowded and/dangerous and/or are in violation of local and state law."

Such dwellings, the BOT states, pose a "significant threat to life, limb and property of residents of the Village and others," plus it "tends to promote and encourage deterioration of housing within the Village, contributes to excessive vehicular traffic and parking problems and overburdens and has a detrimental effect upon municipal services."

The BOT, in approving the new law, added that current village code provisions are inadequate in eliminating such occupancies and that the new law is designed to enhance the "public health safety, welfare, and good order of the Village."

The law, which takes effect immediately, will apply to all premises and rental dwelling units within the village.

The law covers not just illegal occupancy, but also those who assist in such an operation.

The presumptions of illegal occupancies in single or one-family dwellings include:

• More than one mailbox, mail slot, or post address;

• More than one doorbell or doorway on the same side of the dwelling unit;

• More than one gas meter;

• More than one electric meter;

• More than one water meter;

• More than one connecting line for cable television service;

• More than one antenna, dish antenna or related receiving equipment;

• More than one telephone line;

• Separate entrances for segregated parts of the dwelling unit, including but not limited to bedrooms;

• Partitions of internal doors with key locks which may serve to bar access between segregated portions of the dwelling unit, including but not limited to bedrooms;

• Separate written or oral leases or rental arrangements, payments or agreements for portions of the dwelling unit among its owners and occupants;

• The inability of any occupant to have lawful access to all parts of the dwelling unit;

• Two or more kitchens, each containing one or more of the following: a refrigerator, sink and/or range, oven, hotplate, microwave or other similar device customarily used for cooking or the preparation of food;

• Any entrance which has not been set forth on any plans approved by and on file with the Building Department;

• Two or more motor vehicles parked on the dwelling lot registered to persons with two or more different surnames.

Presumptions of illegal occupancies in multiple-family dwellings include those listed above.

The Building Inspector is responsible for investigating any suspected violations. Anyone charged with violations of the new law may demand inspection of their premises by the Village Department of Buildings to rebut such charges.

Penalties for the offense include a fine of not less than $3,500 for the first violation. For a second and all subsequent violations, the fine shall be no less than $7,000.