Buildings occupied in whole or in part as multiple
dwellings shall conform to the requirements hereinafter set forth
concerning occupancy, size, light and ventilation so as to provide
a safe and healthful environment.
A. In dwelling units existing or under construction on
May 1, 1972, the maximum number of occupants shall be determined at
the time of letting or renting on the basis of gross floor area as
follows:
[Amended 11-19-1991 by L.L. No. 13-1991]
(1) At least 150 square feet of gross floor area for the
first occupant.
(2) At least 100 square feet of gross floor area for the
next two occupants.
(3) At least 75 square feet of floor area for each occupant
in excess of three.
B. In dwelling units, the construction of which was commenced
after May 1, 1972, the maximum number of occupants shall be determined
at the time of letting or renting on the basis of gross floor area
as follows:
[Amended 11-19-1991 by L.L. No. 13-1991]
(1) The occupancy standards of Subsection
A shall apply.
(2) In addition to the requirements of Subsection
A, occupancy shall be further limited as follows:
(a)
No more than one occupant shall be permitted
in a sleeping room of up to 80 square feet.
(b)
No more than two occupants shall be permitted
in a sleeping room of between 80 and 110 square feet.
(c)
No more than three occupants shall be permitted
in a sleeping room in excess of 110 square feet.
C. It shall be prohibited to use for regular sleeping
purposes any kitchen, nonhabitable space or public space.
D. Habitable spaces shall conform to the following requirements:
(1) Habitable space shall have a minimum ceiling height
of seven feet six inches over 50% of the floor area.
(2) Every dwelling unit shall contain at least one habitable
room with a floor area of at least 150 square feet and a minimum dimension
of 10 feet.
(3) All habitable space shall have a minimum dimension
of seven feet.
(4) Habitable space shall be provided with natural light
through one or more windows, skylights, transparent or translucent
panels or any combination thereof that face on a legal open space
or are above a roof. The amount of light transmitted by these shall
be equal to that transmitted by clear glass equal in area to 10% of
the floor area of the habitable space.
(5) Habitable spaces shall be provided with artificial
light.
(6) Habitable spaces shall be furnished with natural ventilation
through openable parts of windows of other openings in exterior walls.
Such openings shall provide ventilation equal to that provided by
a clear ventilation area equal in area to 5% of the floor area of
the habitable space.
E. Public spaces within a multiple dwelling shall meet
the following requirements:
(1) Public spaces shall have a minimum ceiling height
of seven feet six inches.
(2) Public spaces shall be provided with artificial electric
lighting sufficient to afford safe passage for occupants and users
at all times.
(3) When, in public halls and stairs, artificial lights
are controlled by switches, a switch shall be located at each terminus
of such public hall or stair.
(4) Public spaces shall be provided with either natural
ventilation conforming to the requirements of natural ventilation
for habitable spaces or with equivalent artificial ventilation.
F. Nonhabitable spaces within a multiple dwelling shall
meet the following requirements:
(1) Nonhabitable spaces, except cellars, crawl spaces
and attics, shall have a minimum ceiling height of seven feet.
(2) Toilet rooms and bathrooms in multiple dwellings shall
be located within the dwelling unit and shall be accessible from each
sleeping room without passing through another sleeping room.
(3) Toilet rooms and bathrooms shall be provided with
floors of moisture-resistive materials.
(4) Nonhabitable spaces shall be provided with artificial
light.
(5) Nonhabitable spaces shall be furnished with ventilation
in accordance with either of the following:
(a)
Natural ventilation as required for habitable
spaces, except that such openable areas shall be not less than two
square feet for toilet rooms and bathrooms nor less than three square
feet for kitchenettes; or
(b)
Mechanical ventilation exhausting not less than
25 cubic feet per minute for toilet rooms and bathrooms or 150 cubic
feet per minute for kitchenettes.
(6) Ventilation shall be provided for unheated attics,
spaces below flat roofs and for crawl spaces. Locations and net areas
of ventilation openings shall be such as to minimize deterioration
due to condensation.
G. Stairs in multiple dwellings shall be so arranged
and constructed so as to provide for safe ascent and descent.
H. There shall be no variation in excess of 1/2 inch
in height of risers in any one run of stairs.
I. Stairs or steps or more than three risers shall be
provided with handrails parallel to the slope of such stair on at
least one side. When such stairs are open in one or more sides, such
handrails shall be installed on all open sides. The top surfaces of
such handrails or railings shall be between 30 and 36 inches above
the floor or tread level, measured at the riser face. Clearance between
the handrail and the supporting wall shall be no less than 1 1/2
inches.
J. Safe, continuous and unobstructed egress from the interior of the building to the exterior at street or grade level shall be provided. For the purpose of this subsection, compliance with the requirements of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code applicable to multiple dwellings shall constitute compliance with this Article
V.
[Amended 11-19-1991 by L.L. No. 13-1991]