Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING1 § 9-2-5-3
ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATION
Operative Text
A. Habitable Room: Every habitable room shall have at least one ceiling or wall-type electrical light fixture or outlet which can be operated and controlled by an occupant at the entrance to the room. B. Hallway; Stairway: Every hallway and stairway in a multiple- family dwelling shall be lighted at all times by natural or electric light so as to provide in all parts thereof at least five (5) foot-candles of light at the tread or floor level. (1997 Code)
Colona CHAPTER 2 RENTAL HOUSING § 9-2-5-3 establishes minimum artificial illumination standards for rental housing. Every habitable room must have at least one ceiling or wall-mounted electrical light fixture or outlet that an occupant can operate from the room's entrance. Hallways and stairways in multi-family dwellings must be continuously lit — by natural or electric light — to a minimum of five foot-candles measured at the tread or floor level.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Colona § 9-2-5-3, compliant rental property operators ensure that each habitable room contains at least one ceiling or wall-type electrical fixture or outlet accessible and operable from the room's entrance. For multi-family buildings, operators maintain hallway and stairway lighting at all times, verifying that illumination reaches the five foot-candle minimum at floor and tread level. Routine inspections of fixtures, bulbs, and wiring help operators stay ahead of potential code deficiencies in these areas.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Colona § 9-2-5-3 gives occupants the right to adequate lighting in every habitable room, as well as continuously lit hallways and stairways meeting a five foot-candle minimum in multi-family dwellings. If a rental unit or common area falls short of these standards — for example, a missing or inoperable light fixture at a room entrance or a persistently dark stairwell — tenants may document the condition and report it to the local code enforcement or housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand available options, such as raising a housing code violation in relevant proceedings.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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