They can dot the local landscape like broken teeth in a poor man’s mouth — vacant buildings, be they big or small. Are they unoccupied or abandoned?  And what’s the difference, anyway?

The Village of Suffern will hold a Public Meeting Tuesday, June 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Hall to read through a proposed new Vacant Building chapter in the village code.

The board will take up a proposed new local law Chapter 252 of the Village Code  that addresses the regulation of Vacant Buildings. The purpose of the new code chapter is “to establish a program for identifying and registering vacant buildings; to determine the responsibilities of owners of vacant buildings and structures; and to speed the rehabilitation of the vacant properties.”

Chapter 252 would go into effect immediately upon being passed by the village board and filed with the NY Secretary of State, though at this time the change to local law is only proposed.

Chapter 252 covers many things related to “buildings which remain vacant that are unsightly, unsafe and have a negative effect on their surrounding.” As written, the new code chapter apparently includes residential and commercial buildings that might impact the health or safety of occupants, first responders and/or the general public.

The code doesn’t distinguish between vacant residential or commercial buildings and doesn’t address building size as part of the determination of its vacancy.

The code defines a vacant building as one that might be unoccupied or unsecured and where the condition includes, but is not limited to, fire hazards, dilapidation, as well as heat, water and other conditions.

The code calls for owners to register buildings with the Suffern Building Department no later than 30 days after the building becomes vacant, as defined in the new code chapter. Owners may be subject to fines, fees and other penalties, and must provide the village with a vacant building rehabilitation plan that should be executed within 365 days from the date of submission.

Suffern’s proposed Chapter 252 Vacant Buildings code will be discussed at Tuesday’s Public Hearing. Call the Village of Suffern at 845-357-2600 for more information.