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.
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 persons
and property.
As used in this Part 1, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
A structure, the use of which is incidental to that of the
residential building and which is located on the same premises.
ACCESSORY USE
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:
A.
Offices for the building management.
B.
Dining rooms, banquet rooms, public kitchens
and ballrooms.
C.
Recreation and play rooms.
D.
Laundries for the use of tenants and occupants
and in connection with the management and operation of a residential
building.
E.
Maintenance and work shops and storage rooms
for linen, bedding, furniture, supplies and tenants' equipment and
effects.
F.
Rooms or space for the incidental sale or display
of merchandise to occupants and tenants, such as newspaper, candy
and cigar stands.
G.
Garages within a residential building or on
the premises thereof used primarily for the storage of passenger-type
motor vehicles.
APPROVED
Approved by the administrative officer under the regulations
of this Part 1 or approved by an authority designated by law or this
Part 1.
BASEMENT
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.
BATHROOM
An 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 the definition of "toilet room."
BUILDING
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.
CELLAR
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.
DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY
A building containing not more than one dwelling unit occupied
exclusively for residential purposes.
DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY
A building containing not more than two dwelling units occupied
exclusively for residential purposes.
DWELLING UNIT
One or more rooms with provisions for living, cooking, sanitary
and sleeping facilities arranged for the use of one family.
EXIT
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.
FAMILY
A household constituting a single housekeeping unit occupied
by one or more persons.
GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARD
A specification, code, rule, guide or procedure in the field
of construction or related thereto recognized and accepted as authoritative.
GRADE, FINISHED
The natural surface of the ground or the surface of the ground
after completion of any change in contour, abutting buildings or premises.
HABITABLE SPACE
Space occupied by one or more persons for living, sleeping,
eating or cooking. Kitchenettes shall not be deemed to be "habitable
space." See the definitions of "nonhabitable space," "public space"
and "exit."
INFESTATION
The presence, within or contiguous to a dwelling, dwelling
unit, lodging house, lodging unit or premises, of insects, rodents,
vermin or other pests.
KITCHEN
A space, 60 square feet or more in floor area with a minimum
width of five feet, used for cooking or preparation of food.
KITCHENETTE
A space, less than 60 square feet in floor area, used for
cooking or preparation of food.
LODGING HOUSE
A multiple dwelling used primarily for the purpose of furnishing
lodging, with or without meals, for compensation.
LODGING UNIT
A room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit
used or intended to be used for lodging.
MIXED OCCUPANCY
Occupancy of a building in part for residential use and in
part for some other use not accessory thereto.
MULTIPLE DWELLING
A.
A building containing three or more dwelling
units.
B.
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.
C.
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.
D.
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.
E.
A building used or occupied as a convalescent, old-age or nursing home, but not including private or public hospitals or public institutions. (See §
178-3B for certain multiple dwellings not within scope of this Part
1.)
NONHABITABLE SPACE
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 the definitions of "habitable space," "public space" and "exit."
PLUMBING SYSTEM
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.
POTABLE WATER
Water which is approved for drinking, culinary and domestic
purposes.
PUBLIC SPACE
Space within a residential building for public use, such
as lobbies and lounges, reception, ball, meeting, lecture and recreation
rooms, banquet and dining rooms and their kitchens and swimming pools.
SEWAGE
Liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension
or solution and which may include industrial wastes and liquids containing
chemicals.
STRUCTURE
An assembly of materials forming a construction framed of
component structural parts for occupancy or use, including buildings.
TOILET ROOM
An enclosed space containing one or more water closets which
may also contain one or more lavatories, urinals and other plumbing
fixtures. See the definition of "bathroom."
VENTILATION
The supply and removal of air to and from a space by natural
or mechanical means.
B.
VENTILATION, NATURALVentilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights, doors, louvers or stacks, with or without wind-driven devices.