This Part 1 shall be known as "Housing Standards Applicable
to Residential Premises."
The purpose of this Part 1 is to provide basic and uniform standards,
in terms of performance objectives implemented by specific requirements,
governing the condition, occupancy and maintenance of residential
premises and establishing reasonable safeguards for the safety, health
and welfare of the occupants and users thereof.
A.Â
This Part 1 shall apply to residential premises as follows:
(1)Â
Lots, plots or parcels of land on which residential buildings, buildings
of mixed occupancy or accessory structures are located.
(2)Â
Residential buildings, including one- and two-family dwellings and multiple dwellings, except as specifically excluded in Subsection B.
(3)Â
Residential occupancies in buildings of mixed occupancy.
(4)Â
Accessory structures, accessory to residential occupancies.
B.Â
This Part 1 shall not apply to mobile homes and mobile home courts
or to transient-type occupancies and uses, including but not limited
to nursing and convalescent homes, hotels, motels, tourist camps,
farm labor camps, travel trailers and trailer parks and other forms
of temporary housing.
A.Â
The provisions of this Part 1 shall supersede local laws, ordinances, codes or regulations to the extent that such laws, ordinances, codes or regulations are inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the adoption and enforcement of a law, ordinance, code or regulation which is more restrictive or establishes a higher standard than those provided in this chapter, and such more restrictive requirement or higher standard shall govern during the period in which it is in effect.
B.Â
Where a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with
a provision of a zoning, building, electrical, plumbing, fire, safety,
health, water supply or sewage disposal law or ordinance, or regulation
adopted pursuant thereto, or other local law, ordinance, code or regulation,
the provision or requirement which is the more restrictive or which
establishes the higher standard shall prevail.
[Amended 8-15-1990 by L.L. No. 4-1990]
Installations, alterations and repairs to residential premises,
and materials, assemblies and equipment utilized in connection therewith,
shall be reasonably safe to persons and property and in conformity
with applicable statutes of the State of New York and orders, rules
and regulations issued by authority thereof. Conformity of such work,
materials, assemblies or equipment with the applicable requirements
of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code shall
be prima facie evidence that the same is reasonably safe to person
and property.
As used in this Part 1, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A structure, the use of which is incidental to that of the
residential building and which is located on the same premises.
A use, occupancy or tenancy customarily incidental to the
principal use or occupancy of a residential building. Such accessory
uses may include, among others, the following: offices for the building
management; dining rooms, banquet rooms, public kitchens and ballrooms;
recreation and play rooms; laundries for the use of tenants and occupants
and in connection with the management and operation of a residential
building; maintenance and work shops; storage rooms for linen, bedding,
furniture, supplies and tenants' equipment and effects; rooms or space
for the incidental sale or display of merchandise to occupants and
tenants, such as newspaper, candy and cigar stands; garages within
a residential building or on the premises thereof used primarily for
the storage of passenger-type motor vehicles.
Approved by the administrative officer under the regulations
of this Part 1, or approved by an authority designated by law or this
Part 1.
That space of a building that is partly below grade which
has more than half its height, measured from floor to ceiling, above
the average established curb level or finished grade of the ground
adjoining the building.
Enclosed space containing one or more bathtubs or showers,
or both, and which may also contain water closets, lavatories or fixtures
serving similar purposes. See definition of "toilet room."
A structure wholly or partially enclosed within exterior
walls, or within exterior or party walls, and a roof, affording shelter
to persons, animals or property.
That space of a building that is partly or entirely below
grade, which has more than half of its height, measured from floor
to ceiling, below the average established curb level or finished grade
of the ground adjoining the building.
A building containing not more than one dwelling unit occupied
exclusively for residential purposes.
A building containing not more than two dwelling units occupied
exclusively for residential purposes.
One or more rooms with provisions for living, cooking, sanitary
and sleeping facilities arranged for the use of one family.
A way of departure from the interior of a building or structure,
to the exterior at street or grade, including doorways, passageways,
hallways, corridors, stairways, ramps, fire escapes and all other
elements necessary for egress or escape.
A household constituting a single housekeeping unit occupied
by one or more persons.
A specification, code, rule, guide or procedure in the field
of construction, or related thereto, recognized and accepted as authoritative.
Natural surface of the ground or surface of ground after
completion of any change in contour, abutting building or premises.
Space occupied by one or more persons for living, sleeping,
eating or cooking. Kitchenettes shall not be deemed to be habitable
space. See definitions of "nonhabitable space," "public space" and
"exit."
The presence, within or contiguous to a dwelling, dwelling
unit, lodging house, lodging unit or premises, of insects, rodents,
vermin or other pests.
Space, 60 square feet or more in floor area, with a minimum
width of five feet, used for cooking or preparation of food.
Space, less than 60 square feet in floor area, used for cooking
or preparation of food.
A multiple dwelling used primarily for the purpose of furnishing
lodging, with or without meals, for compensation.
A room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit,
used or intended to be used for lodging.
Occupancy of a building in part for residential use and in
part for some other use not accessory thereto.
A building containing three or more dwelling units.
A building containing living, sanitary and sleeping facilities
occupied by one or two families and more than four lodgers residing
with either one of such families.
A building with one or more sleeping rooms, other than a one-
or two-family dwelling, used or occupied by permanent or transient
paying guests or tenants.
A building with sleeping accommodations for more than five persons,
used or occupied as a club, dormitory, fraternity or sorority house,
or for similar uses.
See definition of "multiple dwelling."
A city, town or village.
Space used as kitchenettes, pantries, bath, toilet, laundry,
rest, dressing, locker, storage, utility, heater and boiler rooms,
closets and other spaces for service and maintenance of the building,
and those spaces used for access and vertical travel between stories.
See definitions of "habitable space," "public space" and "exit."
The water supply system, the drainage system, the vent system,
fixtures and traps, including their respective connections, devices
and appurtenances, within the property lines of the premises.
Water which is approved for drinking, culinary and domestic
purposes.
Space within a residential building for public use, such
as lobbies, lounges, reception, ball, meeting, lecture and recreation
rooms, banquet and dining rooms and their kitchens, and swimming pools.
Liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension
or solution, which may include industrial wastes and liquids containing
chemicals.
An assembly of materials forming a construction framed of
component structural parts for occupancy or use, including buildings.
Enclosed space, containing one or more water closets, which
may also contain one or more lavatories, urinals and other plumbing
fixtures. See definition of "bathroom."
Supply and removal of air to and from a space by natural
or mechanical means.
Ventilation by power-driven devices.
Ventilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights,
doors, louvers or stacks, with or without wind-driven devices.
