People v. Grimditch

*222OPINION OF THE COURT

Richard B. Meyer, J.

The primary question presented in these cases,2 which appears to be one of first impression, is whether an owner of real property or a building contractor can be held criminally liable under Executive Law § 382 (2) solely because they allowed or engaged in construction activities without first obtaining a building permit under the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (the state building code) (Executive Law art 18). Based upon the express language of the statute, this court holds that they cannot and those counts of the indictment charging a…