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NEW YORK STATE
MULTIPLE DWELLING LAW
Chapter 713 of the Laws of 1929, as amended
ARTICLE 7
TENEMENTS
Section 210. Application of article seven
and other provisions to tenements.
TITLE 1
LIGHT AND AIR
Section 211. Height and bulk.
212. Yards and courts.
213. Lighting and ventilation of rooms.
214. Size of rooms.
215. Alcoves.
216. Rooms in basements and cellars.
217. Lighting and ventilation of
public halls and stairs.
218. Alterations.
TITLE 2
FIRE PROTECTION
Section 230. Chimneys and fireplaces.
231. Egress.
232. Fire-escapes.
233. Bulkheads and scuttles.
234. Stairs and public halls.
235. Stairs in non-fireproof tenements.
236. Stairs in fireproof tenements.
237. Stair construction.
238. Stair and entrance halls.
239. Tower fire-escapes and
supplemental stairs.
240. First tier of beams.
241. Partitions; fire-stopping.
242. Cellar and basement stairs in
non-fireproof tenements.
243. Cellar and basement stairs in
fireproof tenements.
244. Spaces under stairs.
245. Cellar entrance.
TITLE 2-A
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY
Section 248. Single room occupancy.
TITLE 3
SANITATION
Section 250. Water-closets.
251. Vent flues.
252. Privacy.
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Sec. 210. Application of article seven and other provisions to
tenements.
Except as provided in section two hundred forty-eight, the
provisions of this article shall apply only to tenements, as
defined in subdivision eleven of section four, occupied as such
before April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine. Unless in
this article otherwise specifically prescribed, none of its
provisions shall be deemed to require any structural alteration
in any tenement erected after April eleventh, nineteen hundred
one and lawfully occupied as such on April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twenty-nine. Nothing in this article shall apply to
converted dwellings. In addition to the provisions of this
article, the following enumerated articles and sections shall, to
the extent required therein, apply to tenements:
Article 1. Introductory provisions; definitions
2. Miscellaneous application provisions
7-a. Temporary provisions
8. Requirements and remedies
9. Registry of names and service of papers
10. Prostitution
11. Laws repealed; saving clause; legislative
intent; effect
Sec. 28. Two or more buildings on same lot
29. Painting of courts and shafts
31. Size of rooms--subdivision six
33. Cooking spaces
34. Rooms in basements and cellars
35. Entrance doors and lights
37. Artificial hall lighting
51. Shafts, elevators and dumbwaiters
52. Stairs
53. Fire-escapes
55. Wainscoting
56. Frame buildings and extensions
57. Bells; mail receptacles
58. Incombustible materials
59. Bakeries and fat boiling
60. Motor vehicle storage
61. Business uses
62. Parapets, guard railings and wires--
subdivision two
75. Water supply
76. Water-closet and bath accommodations
77. Plumbing and drainage
78. Repairs
79. Heating
80. Cleanliness
81. Receptacles for waste matter
83. Janitor or housekeeper
TITLE 1
LIGHT AND AIR
Sec. 211. Height and bulk.
1. No tenement shall be increased in height so that its height
shall exceed by more than one-half the width of the widest
street upon which it stands. Except as otherwise provided in
subdivision four of this section, no non-fireproof tenement
shall be increased in height so that it shall exceed five
stories, except that any tenement may be increased to any
height permitted for multiple dwellings erected after April
eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, if such tenement
conforms to the provisions of this chapter governing like
multiple dwellings erected after such date.
2. If there are bulkheads, superstructures or penthouses
exceeding ten feet in height or exceeding in aggregate area
ten per centum of the area of the roof, the measurement of
height shall be taken to the top of such bulkhead,
superstructure or penthouse, except that this shall not
apply to elevator enclosures not exceeding twenty-three feet
in height used solely for elevator purposes, nor to open
pergolas or similar open ornamental treatment of roof-
gardens or playgrounds.
3. In a fireproof tenement house in which one or more passenger
elevators are operated, penthouses may be erected on the
main roof. Such penthouses shall be set back at least five
feet from the front walls and ten feet from the rear walls
of the dwelling and at least three feet from any court wall.
Such penthouses shall have a clear inside height of not less
than nine feet from finished floor to finished ceiling, and
shall not exceed twelve feet in height from the high point
of the main roof to the highest point of the penthouse roof.
Such penthouses shall not be deemed to affect the
measurement of height of the dwelling. All such penthouses
shall be entirely fireproof except that windows shall not be
required to be glazed with wire glass.
4. Any non-fireproof old-law tenement five stories in height
may be increased in number of stories to six provided that
such increase in number of stories does not result in an
increase in the height of the roof beams above the curb
level. In any tenement so altered, the first floor above the
lowest cellar, or, if there be no cellar, above the basement
or other lowest story, shall be fireproof. Any yard or court
of such altered tenement shall not be less in any dimension
than the minimum dimensions prescribed in section twenty-
six.
Sec. 212. Yards and courts.
1. No tenement shall be enlarged or its lot diminished in any
way which would leave any yard or court less in any
dimension than the minimum dimensions prescribed for yards
or courts in section twenty-six.
The restrictions of this subdivision shall not apply to
tenements erected after April twelfth, nineteen hundred one,
on lots which run through from one street to another street
and do not exceed one hundred feet in depth.
2. Any court constructed on or after December fifteenth,
nineteen hundred sixty-one in a tenement to ventilate any
room, public hall, water-closet compartment or bathroom
shall be of the dimensions prescribed in section twenty-six,
and such court shall under no circumstances be roofed or
covered over at the top. Every such court, if an inner
court, shall be provided at the bottom with one or more
horizontal air-intakes constructed as provided in section
twenty-six.
3. Any shaft or court constructed after April eighteenth,
nineteen hundred twenty-nine, which is used to light or
ventilate any room occupied for living purposes in any old-
law tenement shall be at least twenty-five square feet in
area and four feet in width in every part, and shall under
no circumstances be roofed or covered over at the top. Every
such shaft shall be provided at the bottom with a horizontal
air-intake or duct at least four square feet in area
communicating directly with a street or yard and so arranged
as to be easily cleaned.
4. In every old-law tenement there shall be a door at the
bottom of every shaft and inner court giving access to the
shaft or court and whenever the shaft or inner court is less
than two hundred square feet in area or ten feet in any
dimension, such door and its assembly shall be fireproof
with the door self-closing. Where a window or door existing
on April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, gives
proper access to such a shaft or court, such window or door
shall be deemed sufficient.
Sec. 213. Lighting and ventilation of rooms.
1. No tenement, its lot or any room, public hall or stairs
therein shall be so altered as to have its light or
ventilation diminished in any way not approved by the
department.
2. In every tenement erected after April twelfth, nineteen
hundred one, every stair hall, public hall and living room
and at least one water-closet compartment or bathroom
containing a water-closet in each apartment, shall have at
least one window opening directly upon a street or upon a
lawful yard or court existing on April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twenty-nine. Such window shall be so located as to
properly light all portions of such hall, room or
compartment. Every part of an apartment of three rooms or
less in such a tenement shall be within eighteen feet of a
street or yard or have a window opening upon a lawful inner
or outer court existing on April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twenty-nine. When a room in a tenement opens upon an
inner court on a lot line and less than ten feet wide from
the lot line to the opposite wall of the dwelling, such room
shall be provided with a sash window communicating with
another room in the same apartment. Such window shall
contain at least ten square feet of glazed surface and be
made so as to open readily.
3. No room in any old-law tenement shall be occupied for living
purposes unless it meets the conditions in one of the
following paragraphs:
a. Such room has a window opening directly upon a street,
or upon a yard at least four feet in depth, or above
the roof of an adjoining building, or upon a court or
shaft at least twenty square feet in area open to the
sky.
b. Such room is located on the top story and is adequately
lighted by a ventilating skylight opening directly to
the outer air.
c. Such room has a sash window opening directly into an
immediately adjoining room in the same apartment which
latter room opens directly on a street or yard at least
four feet in depth. Such window shall have a vertically
sliding pulley-hung sash not less than three feet by
five feet, except that when it is impossible to
construct a window of such size, the department may
permit such window to be narrower. Both halves of the
sash shall be made so as to open readily, and the lower
half shall be glazed with translucent glass, or with
obscure wire glass if the department shall so require.
So far as possible such window shall be in line with
windows in outer rooms opening on a street or yard, so
as to afford a maximum of light and ventilation.
d. Such room has an alcove opening, of no less dimension
than required for such a sash window, to such an
adjoining room, in addition to the usual door openings.
4. In every existing tenement the department, in addition to
the requirements of subdivision four of section eighty, may,
as often as it deems necessary, require the walls and
ceilings of every room that does not open directly on a
street to be kalsomined or painted white to improve the
lighting of such room.
5. Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, no
room in any old-law tenement in an apartment which is vacant
on June thirtieth, nineteen hundred sixty, or thereafter
becomes vacant, and, on and after June thirtieth, nineteen
hundred seventy no room in any old-law tenement shall be
used for living purposes unless such room shall have a
window opening directly upon the street, or upon a yard not
less than four feet deep, or above the roof of an adjoining
building, or upon a court or shaft of not less than twenty
square feet in area, open to the sky without roof or
skylight, unless such room is located on the top floor and
is adequately lighted and ventilated by a skylight opening
directly to the outer air.
An alcove shall be deemed to comply with the requirements of
this subdivision if (1) it opens directly into an
immediately adjoining room in the same apartment, and (2)
such adjoining room opens directly on a street or yard, and
(3) a single unbroken open space occupies at least sixty per
centum of the area of the vertical plane between the alcove
and such adjoining room. The required open space between any
such alcove and an adjoining room through which it receives
light and ventilation shall not be obstructed by any
curtain, portiere, fixed or movable partition or other
contrivance or device.
Sec. 214. Size of rooms.
1. In every tenement erected after April twelfth, nineteen
hundred one, the sizes of living rooms shall meet the
following requirements:
a. In each apartment there shall be at least one living
room containing at least one hundred twenty square feet
of clear floor area, and every other living room except
a kitchen shall contain at least seventy square feet of
clear floor area.
b. Every living room which contains less than eighty
square feet of clear floor area or which is located in
the cellar or basement shall be at least nine feet
high, and every other living room at least eight feet
high; these measurements to be taken from finished
floor to finished ceiling.
c. Every living room shall have a least horizontal
dimension of at least six feet and, if the tenement was
erected after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred
twelve, of at least seven feet; except that the minimum
horizontal dimension of any kitchen and of a maid's or
servant's sleeping room in a fire-proof tenement in
which one or more passenger elevators are operated,
shall be six feet.
2. In any tenement, apartments containing three or more rooms
may have dining bays, which shall not exceed fifty-five
square feet in floor surface area and shall not be deemed
separate rooms or subject to the requirements for separate
rooms or alcoves. Every such dining bay shall be equipped
with such appropriate permanent fittings as may be required
by the department and shall also be provided with at least
one window opening directly upon a street or upon a yard or
court which was lawful on April eighteenth, nineteen hundred
twenty-nine. The area of such window shall be one-eighth at
least of the floor surface area of such dining bay. No
dining bay shall be permitted in any apartment containing
less than three rooms.
Sec. 215. Alcoves.
No part of any room shall be enclosed or subdivided, wholly or in
part, by a curtain, portiere, fixed or movable partition or other
contrivance or device unless each such enclosure or subdivision
shall contain a separate window conforming to the provisions of
section thirty for rooms in multiple dwellings erected after
April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, and have a clear
floor area of at least seventy square feet.
Sec. 216. Rooms in basements and cellars.
No room in the basement or cellar of any tenement shall be
occupied for living purposes unless there is a written permit
therefor as provided in subdivision five of section three hundred
and it either is part of an apartment which complies with the
conditions of subdivision six of section thirty-four or complies
with the following conditions:
1. a. There shall be appurtenant to every such room a
water-closet constructed and accessible in accordance
with the provisions of section seventy-six for
dwellings erected after April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twenty-nine.
b. Every such room and all cellars and basements shall be
lighted and ventilated to the satisfaction of the
department.
2. If such room is in a tenement erected after April twelfth,
nineteen hundred one:
a. Such room shall be at least nine feet high in every
part from floor to ceiling.
b. Every part of the ceiling of such room shall be at
least four feet six inches above the curb level of the
street in front of such part when such room or the
apartment containing it is located in the front part of
the dwelling, and at least two feet above such curb
level in front of the dwelling when such room or the
apartment containing it is located in the rear of the
dwelling and the yard is less than sixty feet in depth
and does not extend to a street along its entire width.
c. The level of any yard or court upon which such a room
or apartment opens shall conform to the requirements of
subdivision eight of section twenty-six.
d. Every such room shall have a window opening upon a
street, yard or court, and shall be an integral part of
an apartment containing a room with a window opening
directly upon a street or yard or upon an outer court
at least eighteen feet in width and not more than
thirty feet in depth or upon a larger outer court whose
depth does not exceed its width by more than one-half.
e. Except when the yard is sixty feet or more in depth
there shall be not more than one apartment in any
cellar. It shall contain not more than five rooms and
bath, and no such room shall open upon any court less
than five feet six inches in width. Every part of such
apartment shall either be located within twenty-five
feet of the inner line of the front or rear wall of the
dwelling or have a window opening upon a court which is
at least twelve feet in width. No other rooms in the
cellar shall be occupied for living purposes.
f. The area of every window in such a room shall be at
least twelve square feet, and the total area of windows
in every such room shall be at least one-eighth of the
total floor area of the room. At least half of each
window shall be made to open, and the top of each
window shall be within twelve inches of the ceiling.
g. All walls enclosing such room shall be dampproof and
its floor dampproof and waterproof. The dampproofing
and waterproofing shall run through and up the walls to
the ground level.
h. The entire cellar, or lowest story if there be no
cellar, shall be properly constructed so as to prevent
dampness or water from entering.
3. If such room is in the cellar of any old-law tenement either
the conditions enumerated in subdivision two or the
following conditions shall be complied with:
a. Such room shall be at least eight feet high in every
part from floor to ceiling.
b. Every part of the ceiling of every such room shall be
at least four feet above the surface of the street in
front of every part of such room, or at least half the
height of such room shall be everywhere above the
highest level of the ground outside of and adjoining
every part of the exterior wall of such room for a
distance of thirty feet measured at a right angle to
the outer surface of such wall.
c. Such adjoining ground shall be effectively drained and
shall be open and unoccupied in every part.
d. Such room shall have a window or windows opening
directly to the required unoccupied area of ground
outside of and adjoining such room or to a street or
yard. Every such window shall be made so as to open
readily and such window or windows shall provide at
least twelve square feet of clear openings for
ventilation.
e. Such room shall be thoroughly dry and fit for human
habitation.
f. If the tenement is over marshy ground, or ground on
which water lies or on which there is upward water
pressure, the entire cellar, or lowest story if there
be no cellar, shall be made dampproof and waterproof.
4. If such room is in the basement of any old-law tenement the
provisions of subdivision one and in addition the provisions
of subdivision two or of subdivision three, or the
provisions of paragraph f of subdivision three and of either
of the following paragraphs, shall be complied with:
a. Such room shall be everywhere seven feet or more in
height from floor to ceiling and occupied solely by a
family which occupies the entire story above, and such
room shall not be used for sleeping purposes; or
b. Such room shall be everywhere seven feet six inches or
more in height from floor to ceiling and shall have a
window or windows opening directly to a street, or to a
yard at least twelve feet in depth, or to a court at
least six feet in its least dimension and twelve feet
in its greatest dimensions; every such windows shall be
made so as to open readily; such window or windows
shall provide at least twelve square feet of clear
opening for ventilation, and the apartment containing
such room shall have one or more rooms opening upon a
street or yard.
5. Notwithstanding any provisions of this section or of
subdivision five of section three hundred of this chapter,
an apartment or room in a cellar or basement which was
occupied for living purposes on April first, nineteen
hundred fifty-three may thereafter continue to be occupied
for such purposes until July first, nineteen hundred sixty-
seven, upon the issuance of a joint certificate by the
department and the department of health. Such certificate
shall be renewed for any such apartment or room which
continues to be occupied in an old-law tenement after June
thirtieth, nineteen hundred fifty-seven. The certificate
shall indicate their joint belief that such occupancy is not
detrimental to life and health with due regard to the
following conditions:
a. that the apartment or room is reasonably lighted and
ventilated,
b. that adequate sanitary facilities are provided,
including water supply and water closet accommodations,
c. that the premises are clean and free from rodents and
vermin,
d. that the walls and ceilings are sound and reasonably
free of dampness and there is a minimum of seven feet
in height from floor to ceiling,
e. that the apartment or room is adequately heated from a
central heating system or by other approved means,
f. that the structural arrangement, including egress
facilities, of the apartment or room does not
constitute a fire hazard,
g. that notwithstanding the provisions of this
subdivision, any apartment occupied pursuant to the
provisions of this subdivision which becomes vacant on
or after June first, nineteen hundred fifty-five shall
not thereafter be occupied for dwelling purposes. This
paragraph shall also apply to any room which becomes
vacant on or after June first, nineteen hundred fifty-
six.
Sec. 217. Lighting and ventilation of public halls and stairs.
1. In every tenement erected after April twelfth, nineteen
hundred one, which exceeds four stories in height or is
occupied by three families or more on any story, every
public hall shall have at least one window opening directly
upon a street, yard or court. Such window shall be located
at the end of the hall and at right angles to its length,
with an additional window in each thirty feet of hall or
fraction thereof beyond the first sixty feet from such end
window if the tenement was erected after April eighteenth,
nineteen hundred twelve; or, if the window is not thus
located at the end of the hall, there shall be at least one
window opening directly upon a street, yard or court in
every twenty feet of the length of the hall or fraction
thereof, measured from one end of hall; but the foregoing
provisions shall not apply to that portion of an entrance
hall between the entrance and the first flight of stairs if
the entrance door contains five square feet or more of
glazed surface.
2. When the length of any recess or return off of a public hall
in such a tenement does not exceed twice its width, no
window shall be required therein. But wherever the length of
a recess or return exceeds twice its width there shall be an
additional window or windows meeting the requirements for a
separate public hall.
3. Except as provided in subdivision four, a tenement erected
after April twelfth, nineteen hundred one, which is four
stories or less in height and occupied by not more than two
families on any story shall either have windows in its
public halls as above provided or a stairwell twelve inches
or more in width extending from the entrance story to the
roof. In such a tenement, except as provided in subdivision
four, every entrance door shall contain five square feet or
more of glazed surface, and all doors leading from the
public halls shall be provided with translucent glass panels
five square feet or more in area for each door and fixed
transoms of translucent glass over each door.
4. Neither such windows nor such a stairwell shall be required
in cities of one million or more population in tenements
which do not exceed three stories in height or fifty-five
feet in depth and which are occupied by not more than one
family on any story and in which the stairs descend in a
straight and continuous run from the top story to the
entrance story with proper landings at each story. Such
tenements shall not be required to have glass panels or
transoms in the doors leading from the public halls.
5. In every public hall that is provided with a window or
windows in a tenement erected after April twelfth, nineteen
hundred one, at least one such window shall be at least two
feet six inches wide and five feet high.
6. In every such tenement there shall be provided, at every
floor level, a window opening upon a street, yard, court or
space above a setback to light and ventilate every stair.
Every such required window shall be of the size required by
subdivision five, except that a window opening upon a street
need be only four feet high. On the top story a ventilating
skylight of the same dimensions shall be accepted in lieu of
a window for that story.
7. In every such tenement there shall be in the roof, directly
over each stairwell, a ventilating skylight provided with
ridge ventilators having an opening of at least forty square
inches, or provided with fixed or movable louvres. The roof
of every such skylight shall have at least twenty square
feet of glazed surface. If the stairs and public halls are
not provided at each story with windows opening directly to
the outer air, the skylights shall be provided with ridge
ventilators and also with fixed or movable louvres or
movable sashes.
8. A sash door shall be deemed the equivalent of a window for
the purposes of this section if it contains the amount of
glazed surface prescribed for such windows.
9. In all old-law tenements the public halls and stairs shall
be provided with such skylights, ventilators, windows in
bulkheads or other means of lighting and ventilation as may
be deemed practicable by the department.
10. All skylights installed in old-law tenements after April
eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, shall be provided
with ridge ventilators having an opening of at least forty
square inches and also with fixed or movable louvres or with
movable sashes. They shall be of such size as may be
determined to be practicable by the department, and the
roofs of such skylights shall be glazed with plain glass
equipped with suitable wire screen above and below.
11. Whenever a public hall in any old-law tenement four stories
or more in height is not light enough in the daytime to
permit a person to read in every part thereof without the
aid of artificial light, every door at the end of such hall
or opening therefrom into a room shall have a wire glass
panel or panels of an aggregate area of at least four square
feet; or in lieu thereof such hall may be lighted by a
window or windows opening upon a street or upon a lawful
yard, court or shaft, with the plane of each such window at
right angles to the length of the hall. In any such tenement
any public hall or stair which is not provided with a window
opening directly upon a street or yard and which is not
sufficiently lighted in the opinion of the department shall
be provided by the owner with artificial light, which shall
be kept burning at all times.
12. Any part of a public hall that is shut off from any other
part of such hall by a door or doors shall be deemed a
separate hall for the purposes of this section.
Sec. 218. Alterations.
1. Any non-fireproof tenement erected after May fifteenth,
nineteen hundred two, having apartments extending from
street to yard and having one or more outer courts on a side
lot line four feet or more in width or inner courts which
alone or together with adjoining courts are eight feet or
more in width and twelve feet six inches or more in depth,
may be altered into apartments opening either on the street
or the yard, provided all such altered apartments also have
windows opening on such a court. All such altered apartments
shall be provided with a second means of egress as required
by section two hundred thirty-one. The entrance and stair
halls of such tenement shall be fire-retarded.
2. No room in the cellar or basement of any tenement shall be
constructed or altered to be occupied for living purposes
unless all of the conditions of section thirty-four and of
subdivision eight of section twenty-six in regard to
multiple dwellings erected after April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twenty-nine, are complied with, except that the
minimum depths of yards and courts prescribed for tenements
in subdivision one of section two hundred twelve shall be
substituted for the minimum depths referred to in section
thirty-four.
3. Any additional room or hall constructed or created in a
tenement shall comply in all respects with the provisions of
this article respecting rooms or halls in tenements erected
after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twelve, except that
in any tenement erected after April fourteenth, nineteen
hundred three, such rooms or halls may be of the same height
as the other rooms or halls on the same story.
4. The number of apartments or suites of rooms on any story in
any tenement erected after April twelfth, nineteen hundred
one, may be altered so as to increase or decrease the number
of living rooms provided such dwelling shall conform with
the applicable provisions of sections two hundred thirty-
five and two hundred thirty-six.
5. If the number of apartments or suites of rooms in any old-
law tenement is increased, the entrance hall and both sides
of the walls of the stair halls adjoining the altered
apartment shall be fire-retarded, the stairs shall extend to
the roof and there shall be no inside stairs from the
entrance story to a cellar, or to a basement or other story
below the entrance story. However, such inside stair may be
permitted provided such stair is constructed of
incombustible material, has closed risers, is enclosed
between the entrance story and the next lowest story with
fireproof materials having a standard fire-resistive rating
of at least three hours, and has fireproof doors and door
assemblies at the top and bottom with the doors and door
assemblies at the top and bottom with the doors self-
closing. The soffit of any stair immediately above an inside
cellar stair shall be fire-retarded and the jib partitions
enclosing such cellar stair at the first story shall be of
incombustible material or fire-retarded on both sides with
materials having a standard fire-resistive rating of at
least one hour.
6. If any old-law tenement shall be so altered as to increase
the number of rooms therein by one-third or more, or if such
tenement is increased both in number of rooms and in height
and after such alteration is more than four stories or parts
of stories above the curb level, or if such tenement is over
three stories in height and is combined with another old-law
tenement and the combined area on any story exceeds three
thousand square feet, the stair halls, entrance halls and
other public halls of the whole dwelling shall be made to
conform to the requirements of subdivision two of section
two hundred thirty-three and sections two hundred thirty-
four to two hundred thirty-eight inclusive, except that such
combined tenements, if over three stories in height, shall
have in the roof a fireproof bulkhead with a fireproof self-
closing door.
7. In lieu of fire retarding required under subdivision five,
there may be installed in public halls an automatic dry pipe
valve system or, where halls are heated, an automatic wet
pipe system. Where a sprinkler system is installed it shall
be equipped on each story with heads in such number and
spaced to protect the complete area of the public halls and
stairs and shall be constructed, located and arranged on
every stair and entrance hall and in every closet opening
therefrom in such a manner as the department may require.
Such sprinkler system shall be maintained continuously in
good repair and serviceable condition.
TITLE 2
FIRE PROTECTION
Sec. 230. Chimneys and fireplaces.
In every existing tenement which is not heated from a central
heating plant there shall be adequate flues or chimneys through
every floor with a fireplace or place for a stove properly
connected with one of such flues or chimneys for every apartment.
Sec. 231. Egress.
1. Every non-fireproof tenement exceeding two stories in height
and every fireproof tenement erected after May sixteenth,
nineteen hundred thirteen, shall have at least two
independent means of egress, which shall extend from the
ground story to the roof, be located remote from each other
and be separated from each other by walls.
2. One of such means of egress shall be a flight of stairs
constructed as provided in sections two hundred thirty-three
to two hundred thirty-eight inclusive; but this sentence
shall not be construed to require any alteration in the
material or width of any stair or its treads and risers
lawfully permitted on April eighteenth, nineteen hundred
twenty-nine.
3. The other required means of egress shall be directly
accessible at each story to each apartment without having to
pass through the first means of egress. Such other means of
egress shall be any one of the following, as the owner may
elect:
a. A system of outside fire-escapes constructed as
provided in section fifty-three.
b. An additional stair, either inside or outside,
constructed and arranged as provided in sections two
hundred thirty-three to two hundred thirty-eight
inclusive.
c. A fire-tower or fire-stair constructed and arranged as
provided in section two hundred thirty-nine.
d. Except as provided in subdivision nine of section fifty-
three, any means of egress lawfully permitted on April
eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, except wire,
chain, cable, vertical ladder, or rope fire-escapes.
Sec. 232. Fire-escapes.
1. All fire-escapes erected after April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twenty-nine, shall be arranged and constructed in
conformity with the provisions of section fifty-three.
2. As specifically indicated in subdivision nine of section
fifty-three, a wire, chain, cable, vertical ladder, or rope
fire-escape is an unlawful means of egress from any
apartment. Every such fire-escape shall be removed and
replaced, if required as a means of egress, by a system of
fire-escapes constructed and arranged as provided in section
fifty-three.
Sec. 233. Bulkheads and scuttles.
1. Every tenement, except as in this section otherwise
provided, shall have in the roof a fireproof bulkhead with a
fireproof door and after January first, nineteen hundred
fifty-seven, the door shall be self-closing. Bulkheads
existing on April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine,
shall be lawful and may be replaced or repaired with
material conforming to the material of which such bulkhead
consisted on such date.
2. A bulkhead in the roof of an old-law tenement which is more
than a basement and four other stories in height or which is
a basement and four other stories in height and occupied by
three or more families on any story, may be of wood covered
with metal on the outside and fire-retarded on the inside.
Such a bulkhead shall be equipped with a fire-retarded door
and assembly with the door self-closing.
3. In any old-law tenement which is four stories or less in
height or which is a basement and four other stories in
height and occupied by not more than two families on any
story, no bulkhead shall be required provided such tenement
is equipped with a scuttle located in the ceiling of a
public hall on the top story and with access thereto direct,
uninterrupted and easily accessible to all tenants. All such
scuttles shall be at least twenty-one inches in width and
twenty-eight inches in length. They shall be constructed so
as to be readily opened, covered on the outside with metal
and provided with stairs or stationary iron ladders leading
thereto.
4. Every required stair in every tenement erected after April
eighteenth, nineteen hundred twelve, which is more than a
basement and three other stories in height shall extend to
and through a bulkhead in the roof. Such bulkhead shall have
a fireproof door and assembly with the door self-closing and
may be constructed of wood covered with metal on the outside
and fire-retarded on the inside.
5. Stairs leading to required bulkheads shall be fireproof and
constructed as specified in sections two hundred thirty-four
to two hundred thirty-eight inclusive, except that any such
stairs existing on April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-
nine, shall be permitted without alteration, and that any
such stairs constructed after such date in any old-law
tenement may have such width and angle of ascent, and risers
and treads of such dimensions, as approved by the
department. All stairs to required bulkheads shall be
provided with a guide or hand rail.
6. Bulkhead doors and scuttles shall not be self-locking, and
shall be fastened on the inside with movable bolts, hooks,
or a lock which does not require a key to open it from the
inside of the dwelling. All key locks are unlawful and where
existing shall be removed.
Sec. 234. Stairs and public halls.
1. In every tenement erected after April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twelve, all stairs shall extend from the entrance
story to the roof, except as otherwise provided in section
two hundred thirty-three, and the stairs and public halls
shall each be at least three feet in clear width. Every
apartment in such a tenement shall be directly accessible at
each story to such stairs and public halls, and every story
of such apartment shall be so accessible to such a stair and
public hall or to a tower fire-escape or stairway, as
provided in this section and sections two hundred thirty-
five to two hundred thirty-nine inclusive.
2. In every tenement erected after April twelfth, nineteen
hundred one, except as provided in paragraph b of
subdivision two of section two hundred thirty-eight, all
stairs and public halls shall be completely separated from
all other stairs and from every elevator by brick walls or
partitions of terra cotta blocks at least four inches thick,
or hollow cement blocks at least four inches thick which
have successfully withstood a three-hour standard fire test
and been approved by the department and have fireproof doors
and assemblies with the doors self-closing at all openings.
From any portion of a public hall in such a tenement there
may be a recess which shall not be deemed a public hall if
the walls, floor and ceilings enclosing it are fire-retarded
and such recess is at all times adequately lighted by
electric lights of at least fifteen watts or equivalent
illumination. Such a recess shall not be more than twenty
feet long and shall not be used as a means of egress from
more than three apartments.
Sec. 235. Stairs in non-fireproof tenements.
1. Every non-fireproof tenement erected after May fifteenth,
nineteen hundred two, containing more than twenty-six
apartments or suites of rooms above the entrance story shall
have an additional stair for every additional twenty-six
apartments or suites or fraction thereof; except that if
such tenement contains not more than thirty-six apartments
above the entrance story, in lieu of an additional stair the
stairs, stair halls and entrance halls throughout the entire
tenement may each be at least one-half wider than is
specified in sections two hundred thirty-four, two hundred
thirty-seven and two hundred thirty-eight.
2. The number of apartments on any story in any non-fireproof
tenement may be altered, if the number of living rooms on
such story is not increased by more than twenty per centum.
If the number of living rooms on any story or section
thereof above the entrance story exceeds twenty, there shall
be an additional stair for each twenty rooms or fraction
thereof on any such story or section thereof, except that if
the number of living rooms on any such story or section does
not exceed thirty, in lieu of an additional stair one stair
and every public hall connected therewith may be at least
one-half wider than is specified in sections two hundred
thirty-four, two hundred thirty-seven and two hundred thirty-
eight.
3. Whenever the total number of rooms, exclusive of bathrooms,
water-closet compartments, and cooking spaces not exceeding
fifty-nine square feet in area, in any non-fireproof
tenement or section thereof is decreased through the process
of an alteration, the number of apartments may be altered
and the provisions of this section which relate to
additional stairs shall not be applicable.
Sec. 236. Stairs in fireproof tenements.
1. Except as in this section otherwise provided, every
fireproof tenement erected after May fifteenth, nineteen
hundred two, containing more than thirty-six apartments or
suites of rooms above the entrance story shall have an
additional stair for every additional thirty-six apartments
or suites or fraction thereof.
2. If such a tenement contains not more than forty-eight
apartments or suites above the entrance story, in lieu of an
additional stair the stairs, stair halls and entrance halls
throughout the entire tenement may each be at least one-half
wider than is specified in sections two hundred thirty-four,
two hundred thirty-seven and two hundred thirty-eight.
3. If such a tenement contains more than seventy-two apartments
or suites but not more than eighty-four above the entrance
story, in lieu of three stairs there may be only two stairs,
provided that one of such stairs and the stair and entrance
halls connected therewith are at least one-half wider than
is specified in sections two hundred thirty-four, two
hundred thirty-seven and two hundred thirty-eight.
4. For the purposes of this section a janitor's apartment in a
penthouse shall not be construed as an additional apartment.
5. The number of apartments on any story in any fireproof
tenement may be altered, if the number of living rooms on
such story is not increased by more than thirty per centum.
If the number of living rooms on any story or section
thereof above the entrance story exceeds thirty, there shall
be an additional stair for each thirty rooms or fraction
thereof on any such story or section thereof, except that if
the number of living rooms on any such story or section does
not exceed forty, in lieu of an additional stair one stair
and every public hall connected therewith may be at least
one-half wider than is specified in sections two hundred
thirty-four, two hundred thirty-seven and two hundred thirty-
eight; but in every such tenement erected before May
sixteenth, nineteen hundred thirteen, and altered as herein
permitted, the occupants of each additional apartment shall
have access to at least two independent means of egress,
which shall be made to conform to the requirements of
section two hundred thirty-one for fireproof tenements
erected after such date.
6. Whenever the total number of rooms, exclusive of bathrooms,
water-closet compartments, and cookings spaces not exceeding
fifty-nine square feet in area, in any fireproof tenement or
section thereof is decreased through the process of an
alteration, the number of apartments may be altered and the
provisions of this section which relate to additional stairs
shall not be applicable.
Sec. 237. Stair construction.
1. Every stair in a tenement erected after April twelfth,
nineteen hundred one, shall be accessible on the entrance
story from a street or street court, or from an inner court
which connects directly with a street.
2. All such stairs shall have risers of eight inches or less
and treads at least ten inches in clear width and three feet
in clear length.
3. Winding stairs shall be unlawful except in a tenement
provided with a passenger elevator. When winding stairs or
radial steps are installed or used, the strings from which
the risers radiate shall be curved on a circle of at least
one foot diameter, the treads shall be at least four inches
wide at the string, not including the nosing, and the angle
formed by the face of each riser and the string shall not
diverge more than forty degrees from a line normal to the
string at the intersection of such riser. It shall be
unlawful to construct new winding stairs.
4. Stairs constructed after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred
twenty-nine, shall comply with the provisions of
subdivisions two to six inclusive of section fifty-two.
Sec. 238. Stair and entrance halls.
All stair and entrance halls in tenements shall be constructed as
provided in this section.
1. In tenements erected after April twelfth, nineteen hundred
one:
a. On every story there shall be fireproof doors and
assemblies with the doors self-closing separating every
such stair and entrance hall from all non-fireproof
parts of the tenement.
b. There shall be no transom, sash or similar opening of
any kind from such stair and entrance halls to any
other part of the tenement.
c. If such tenements are non-fireproof, and are occupied
by three families or more on any story or are five
stories or more in height, the stair and entrance halls
shall be enclosed with brick walls, except as provided
in paragraph a of subdivision three.
2. In tenements erected after April fourteenth, nineteen
hundred three:
a. Every entrance hall shall be at least three feet six
inches in clear width from the entrance up to and
including the stair enclosure, and beyond that at least
three feet in clear width. If such entrance hall is the
only entrance to two stairs or more, that portion of
the hall between the entrance and the first stair,
including the stair enclosure, shall be at least five
feet three inches in clear width.
b. Such halls shall comply with the requirements of
sections two hundred thirty-four to two hundred thirty-
seven inclusive as to construction of stair and
entrance halls, except that if such tenements are
fireproof entrance hall enclosures need only withstand
a fire test of two and one-half hours and angle iron
construction may be substituted for brick walls.
c. In every such tenement access shall be provided from a
street to the yard either in a direct line or through a
court.
d. If such tenements are occupied by not more than two
families on any story and are not more than four
stories in height, the floors of the stair and entrance
halls shall be fireproof or filled in between the floor
beams with at least five inches of concrete deafening.
The stairs shall be fireproof, or may be of wood
provided the soffits of the stairs are fire-retarded,
or covered with plaster board at least one-half inch
thick, with all joints true and well pointed. The stair
and entrance halls in such tenements shall be enclosed
on all sides with brick walls or with partitions of
angle iron and fireproof blocks four inches or more in
thickness, except as provided in paragraph e.
e. If such tenements are occupied by not more than two
families on any story and are not more than three
stories in height, the stair and entrance halls may be
enclosed in wood stud partitions, fire-retarded on both
sides, or covered with plaster board at least one-half
inch thick, with all joints true and well pointed and
with the spaces between the studs filled in with brick
to the height of the floor beams.
3. In tenements erected after April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twelve:
a. If such tenements are occupied by three or more
families on any story, or are five stories or more in
height, the stairs and entrance halls shall be
fireproof throughout and all stairs provided with
handrails, except that stair treads two inches or more
in thickness and handrails may be of hard wood. All
windows in such halls shall be fireproof and, except
for windows opening on a street in a tenement six
stories or less in height, shall be glazed with wire
glass. Such halls shall be enclosed with brick walls,
except that one or more sides may be left open to a
street, yard or court.
b. Public halls which are more than forty feet in length
and are used as a means of egress from four or more
apartments shall be fireproof throughout and doors
opening therefrom and their assemblies shall be
fireproof with the doors self-closing.
4. In old-law tenements four stories or more in height:
a. Whenever the entrance halls of any such tenements
adjoin they shall be separated by a fire-retarded wall.
b. The walls and ceilings of every entrance hall and stair
hall, and every public hall connected therewith, and
the soffit of every stair shall be fire-retarded. In
all such halls all wood wainscoting except a flat base
and stair stringers ten inches or less in height, and
all wood railings, balustrades and newel posts shall be
removed completely and replaced with metal or other
hard incombustible materials of such size and secured
in such manner as may be approved by the department,
except that handrails may be of hard wood.
c. Every door opening into any entrance hall or stair, or
into any public hall connected therewith, shall be self-
closing; every glazed opening or glazed panel in such a
door shall be glazed with wire glass, and every transom
opening into any public hall shall be glazed with wire
glass and permanently secured in a closed position.
d. Every interior sash, or opening other than a door, in
the walls or partitions of such halls, and every window
therein not opening to the outer air, shall be removed
and the openings closed up and fire-retarded.
Sec. 239. Tower fire-escapes and supplemental stairs.
In fireproof tenements tower fire-escapes or stairs which are
supplemental to the stairs required by law may be installed
providing such tower fire-escapes or stairs shall be shut off
from all other parts of the dwelling by brick walls or partitions
of terra cotta blocks at least four inches thick, or hollow
cement blocks at least four inches thick which have successfully
withstood a three-hour standard fire test and been approved by
the department, and have fireproof doors and assemblies with the
doors self-closing at all openings. Whenever such supplementary
stairs are provided they shall be constructed in accordance with
such supplementary regulations as may be adopted by the
department. Such tower fire-escapes or stairs shall not be used
as service stairs and shall be kept adequately lighted at all
times and free from encumbrance.
Sec. 240. First tier of beams.
1. In all tenements erected after April twelfth, nineteen
hundred one, which are five stories or more in height, the
first floor above the lowest cellar, or, if there be no
cellar, above the basement or other lowest story, shall be
fireproof; and all exposed portions of any iron or steel
beams below the floor arches shall be fire-retarded.
2. In all non-fireproof tenements erected after such date which
are four stories or less in height, the ceiling of the
lowest cellar, or, if there be no cellar, of the basement or
other lowest story, shall be fire-retarded or covered with
plaster boards at least one-half inch in thickness, with all
joints made true and well pointed.
3. In all old-law tenements which are four stories or more in
height the ceiling of the cellar, or, if there be no cellar,
of the basement or other lowest story, shall be fire-
retarded.
Sec. 241. Partitions; fire-stopping.
1. In tenements erected after April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twelve, wood stud apartment partitions which are
directly over each other shall run through the wood floor
beams and rest upon the plate of the partition below. In
fireproof tenements erected after such date all partitions
shall rest directly upon the fireproof floor construction
and extend to the fireproof beam filling above. Apartment
partitions within the meaning of this section are partitions
crossing the floor beams at any angle and separating one
apartment from another or any part of an apartment from any
public part of the dwelling.
2. In tenements erected after April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twelve, apartment studding shall be filled in
solidly between the uprights to the depth of the floor beams
with incombustible materials.
3. In non-fireproof tenements erected after April twelfth,
nineteen hundred one, in every wall where wood furring is
used, every course of masonry from the under side to the top
of any floor beams shall project a distance of two inches or
more beyond each face of the wall that is not on the outside
of the dwelling, so as to provide an effective fire stop;
and whenever floor beams run parallel to a wall and wood
furring is used, every such beam shall always be kept two
inches away from the wall, and the space between the beams
and the wall shall be built up solidly with brickwork from
the underside to the top of the floor beams so as to form an
effective fire stop.
Sec. 242. Cellar and basement stairs in non-fireproof tenements.
1. Cellar stairs in non-fireproof tenements erected after April
twelfth, nineteen hundred one, which are occupied by three
families or more on any story or which are five stories or
more in height, shall be governed by the provisions of
section one hundred fifty for non-fireproof multiple
dwellings erected after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred
twenty-nine. In all other non-fireproof tenements erected
after April twelfth, nineteen hundred one, any stair leading
to a cellar may be located inside the building, provided it
is enclosed with fireproof walls and is provided with
fireproof doors and assemblies at both the top and bottom,
with the doors self-closing.
2. In old-law tenements exceeding a basement and three other
stories in height and provided with an inside cellar stair
communicating between the entrance story and a cellar or
lower story, the opening to such stair if located underneath
the main stair leading to the upper stories shall be
enclosed from the level of the entrance story up to the
underside of the first flight of such main stairs. The
soffit of such first flight of main stairs and the
partitions forming such enclosure shall be fire-retarded or
covered with twenty-six gauge metal. The opening to such
enclosure shall be provided with a fireproof door and
assembly with the door self-closing.
Sec. 243. Cellar and basement stairs in fireproof tenements.
In fireproof tenements erected after April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twelve, the cellar and basement stairs shall be located,
arranged and constructed as provided in section one hundred six
for fireproof dwellings erected after April eighteenth, nineteen
hundred twenty-nine.
Sec. 244. Spaces under stairs.
In non-fireproof tenements erected after April twelfth, nineteen
hundred one, no closet of any kind shall be constructed or
maintained under any stair leading from the entrance story to the
upper stories, and such space shall be kept entirely open and
clear of any encumbrance.
Sec. 245. Cellar entrance.
In tenements erected after April twelfth, nineteen hundred one,
there shall be an entrance to the cellar, or to the basement or
other lowest story if there be no cellar, from the outside of the
tenement.
TITLE 2-A
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY
Sec. 248. Single room occupancy.
1. It shall be unlawful to occupy any frame multiple dwelling
for single room occupancy. It shall be unlawful to occupy
any other existing class A dwelling or part thereof as a
rooming house or furnished room house or for single room
occupancy unless such dwelling or part shall conform to the
provisions of this section and to such other provisions of
this chapter as were applicable to such dwelling before such
conversion. This section shall not be construed to prohibit
the letting by a family of one or more rooms within their
apartment to not more than a total of four boarders, roomers
or lodgers provided, however, that every room in such
apartment shall have free and unobstructed access to each
required exit from such apartment as required by the
provisions of paragraphs a, b and c of subdivision four of
this section. A dwelling occupied pursuant to this section
shall be deemed a class A dwelling.
2. Any such dwelling may be so occupied without increasing the
number of stairs.
3. The number of rooms shall not be increased nor shall the
light or ventilation of any room be impaired.
4. a. No room in any apartment shall be so occupied
unless each room therein shall have free and
unobstructed access to each required means of egress
from the dwelling without passing through any sleeping
room, bathroom or water-closet compartment.
b. There shall be access to a second means of egress
within the apartment without passing through any public
stair or public hall. On and after July first, nineteen
hundred fifty-seven every tenement used or occupied for
single room occupancy in whole or in part under the
provisions of this section and which does not have at
least two means of egress accessible to each apartment
and extending from the ground story to the roof, shall
be provided with at least two means of egress, or, in
lieu of such egress, every stair hall or public hall,
and every hall or passage within an apartment, shall be
equipped on each story with one or more automatic
sprinkler heads approved by the department. Elevator
shafts in such tenements shall be completely enclosed
with fireproof or other incombustible material and the
doors to such shafts shall be fireproof or shall be
covered on all sides with incombustible material.
c. Where access to a required means of egress is provided
through a room, such access to such room shall be
through a clear opening at least thirty inches wide
extending from floor to ceiling and such opening shall
not be equipped with any door or door frame, or with
any device by means of which the opening may be closed,
concealed or obstructed.
d. All doors which open to any public hall or required
stair hall and the door assemblies shall be fireproof
with the doors self-closing.
e. All doors opening from any room to any hall or passage
within an apartment shall be self-closing and all
transoms within an apartment shall be permanently
closed. All plain glass shall be removed from such
doors and transoms and replaced with wire glass, wood
or other non-shatterable material satisfactory to the
department.
f. Directly over the opening to every required means of
egress within an apartment, there shall be a sign of a
type approved by the department marked "Fire Exit" and
lighted in red at all times to indicate clearly the
location of the means of egress, and on the walls of
any hall or passage within the apartment leading to
such means of egress there shall be maintained at all
times arrows to indicate clearly the direction and
location of the fire exit.
g. Every hall or passage within an apartment shall be
unobstructed and well lighted at all times with a
minimum of one foot-candle of light.
h. All wood wainscoting except a flat base not exceeding
ten inches in height shall be removed from every hall
or passage within an apartment.
5. In every such dwelling which is not fireproof every hall or
passage within an apartment shall be equipped with a
sprinkler system, which shall be extended so as to have at
least one sprinkler head in every room. The construction and
arrangement of such sprinkler system shall comply with the
requirements of the department.
6. There shall be provided in each such dwelling an adequate
and reliable fire alarm system, approved by the fire
commissioner by means of which alarms of fire or other
danger may be instantly communicated to every portion of the
dwelling. Where, throughout the dwelling, a closed-circuit,
automatic thermostatic fire-detecting system is installed
which actuates an interior fire alarm system, or where,
throughout the dwelling, an approved-type automatic
sprinkler system is installed which actuates an interior
fire alarm system by the flow of water through such
sprinkler system, a watchman need not be provided as
required in subdivision fifteen of this section.
7. There shall be a fire-retarded bulkhead in the roof
connecting directly with the highest portion of any stairway
to the roof, which bulkhead shall contain a fireproof door
and assembly with the door self-closing. The stairs leading
to such bulkhead shall be fireproof or fire-retarded as
required for public stairways in the other parts of such
dwelling.
8. a. Every wash basin, bath, shower, sink and laundry
tub shall be provided with an adequate supply of hot
and cold water.
b. When the number of occupants of such a dwelling is
eleven or more, there shall be provided for them in
such dwelling at least one laundry tub and facilities
for drying clothes.
9. Cooking shall be permitted only in kitchens and cooking
spaces complying with the provisions of section thirty-
three. Any gas fixture in such spaces shall be connected
with permanent, rigid piping. The use of any movable cooking
apparatus in any sleeping room is unlawful.
10. a. There shall be a central heating system adequate
to heat every sleeping room in a dwelling to the
temperature requirements prescribed by subdivision one
of section seventy-nine of this chapter.
b. The use of any movable heating apparatus in any
sleeping room is unlawful.
c. Every boiler room shall be constructed in accordance
with the provisions of section sixty-five and shall be
adequately ventilated.
11. a. No room may be occupied for sleeping purposes
unless it has a window or windows with an aggregate
glazed area of at least ten per centum of the total
floor area of such room. Each such window shall be at
least twelve feet in area and so constructed that at
least half of its area may be opened.
b. Any room on a top story may be lighted and ventilated
by a skylight of the same area as required for windows
and arranged to provide an opening of at least six
square feet for ventilation.
c. In every sleeping room, except a room on the top story
so lighted and ventilated, there shall be at least one
window meeting the requirements of section two hundred
thirteen, except as otherwise specified in this
subdivision, opening upon a street or upon a yard,
court or shaft meeting the requirements of section two
hundred twelve, but in no case shall such a court or
shaft be less than twenty-eight inches in width.
d. Every room shall be adequately lighted by electricity.
The use of gas or any other type of open flame lighting
is unlawful.
12. No room may be occupied for sleeping purposes by more than
two adults considering children of twelve years or more as
adults and two children between the ages of two and eleven
years inclusive as the equivalent of one adult. Children
under two years of age need not be considered as occupants.
13. Every room rented for single room occupancy and all
furniture and bedding therein shall be thoroughly cleansed
before occupancy and every sleeping room at least once a
week thereafter. When bed linens are provided they shall be
changed at least once every week. When the rent includes the
use of towels, at least one bath towel and two hand towels
shall be provided every week for each occupant. Such
cleansing and service shall be the exclusive obligation of
the person from whom the occupant rents such room.
14. Except as provided in subdivision thirteen, the owner shall
maintain the dwelling in conformity with section eighty
relating to cleanliness.
15. There shall be a competent manager living on the premises,
who shall be responsible for the conduct, operation and
maintenance of the dwelling, and, except as provided in
subdivision six of this section, there shall also be on the
premises at all times a competent watchman in charge of the
dwelling.
16. It shall be unlawful to rent any room in any such dwelling
for a period of less than a week.
17. In each such dwelling a register shall be kept, which shall
show the name, signature, residence, date of arrival and
date of departure of each occupant and the room occupied by
him.
TITLE 3
SANITATION
Sec. 250. Water-closets.
Water-closet compartments in tenements shall comply with the
applicable provisions of section seventy-six.
Sec. 251. Vent flues.
Supplementary water-closet compartments and bathrooms in
fireproof tenements shall be ventilated and lighted in accordance
with the applicable provisions of section seventy-six.
Sec. 252. Privacy.
In every apartment of three or more rooms in any tenement erected
after April twelfth, nineteen hundred one, there shall be access
to every living room and bedroom and to at least one compartment
or bathroom containing a water-closet without passing through any
bedroom.
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