The County Executive’s Corner: Holding the Line on Illegal

Keeping our residents safe starts with ensuring the buildings they live in are constructed legally and to code. That’s why I want to personally commend our Office of Buildings and Codes (OBC) and the Office of Consumer Protection for their tireless work holding irresponsible landlords and contractors accountable.

On July 10, OBC inspectors observed major construction underway at 36 Jill Lane in Spring Valley—a single-family home being illegally converted into a two-family dwelling. This work included partitioning floors, gutting the second story, and significant electrical, plumbing, and structural changes. Yet no valid building permit had ever been issued.   Let me be clear: this was a blatant disregard of our laws. The owner had only applied to replace windows and siding—and even that permit hadn’t been approved yet.

Despite a Stop Work Order being issued and posted on-site, workers were caught back at it the very next day, continuing construction and unloading materials. That’s not just illegal—it’s reckless.

As a result of this investigation:

•The property owner, Devorah Landau, is facing 28 violations and a $18,750 fine.

•A vehicle used by an unlicensed contractor was impounded.

•Consumer Protection issued $3,000 in fines to that unlicensed contractor, Nery Estuardo Medina Sandoval, who was found doing work in violation of the Stop Work Order.

•YMS Home Improvement and its operator, Yisroel Sandel, are being fined $5,000 and summoned before the licensing board for hiring unlicensed subcontractors and continuing work despite the Stop Work Order.

This entire case is a perfect example of why our enforcement efforts matter. Illegal construction can lead to dangerous living conditions, structural hazards, and life-threatening consequences. We simply won’t allow it.

To every landlord and contractor reading this: if you think you can skirt the law or cut corners in Rockland County, think again. We will find out. We will take action. And you will be held accountable.

Report building and code violations within the Village of Spring Valley to the Rockland County Office of Buildings and Codes to 845-364-3700 or emailing BuildingsAndCodes@co.rockland.ny.us.

Report unlicensed contracting to the Rockland County Department of Consumer Protection at CPLCAL@co.rockland.ny.us or 845-364-3901.

Report Sanitary Code violations countywide to the Rockland County Department of Health’s Center for Rockland Codes Investigations to 845-364-2585.

This is about public safety, plain and simple—and we will never compromise on that.