The federal case for homeowner rights.

This federal case is brought by the Homeowner Rights Project — the coalition formed and led by New York Homeowners Alliance (NYHOA) to carry the litigation forward on behalf of homeowners broadly. The coalition unites homeowners, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, faith leaders, neighborhood and block associations, businesses, residents, and supporters. NYHOA originated this effort, leads the legislative fight around Intro 879, and formed this coalition to bring the case.

The lawsuit challenges the way New York City has enforced Local Law 18 against homeowners who live in the homes they own. It argues that, as applied to owner-occupied one- and two-family private dwellings, the law and its enforcement scheme violate the United States Constitution.

It asks the court for declaratory and injunctive relief — a ruling that the enforcement is unlawful and an order to stop it — rather than money damages. The goal is to fix the rule, not to collect a check.

This case is built on Fourth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment claims — warrantless searches and inspections of private homes, fines designed for commercial operators applied to ordinary homeowners, and due process and equal protection concerns in how the law is enforced. The case also raises questions about whether New York City's enforcement exceeds limits that New York State law already places on how municipalities may regulate private homes.

These are only some of the arguments at the center of this case. We're not detailing every claim publicly while the litigation is still being finalized — but this is a serious, comprehensive constitutional challenge, not a symbolic gesture.