Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-24
Exits
Operative Text
A. Safe, continuous and unobstructed exit shall be provided from the interior of the building to the exterior at street or grade level. B. Exits shall be arranged, constructed and proportioned so that occupants may escape safely from the building in case of emergency. C. In one- and two-family dwellings, in addition to a primary exit from the building, there shall be provided a secondary exit or, in lieu thereof, one or more openings for emergency use as defined in § 231-25 . D. In multiple dwellings approved exits shall be provided.
Albany Code § 231-24 establishes requirements for exits in residential buildings. Every building must have a safe, clear, and continuous path from the interior to the outside at street or ground level, and exits must be designed so occupants can escape in an emergency. One- and two-family homes must have both a primary exit and a secondary exit or qualifying emergency-use opening, while multiple dwellings must provide approved exits as required by the code.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Albany Code § 231-24, compliant property operators maintain all exit pathways in a safe, unobstructed condition at all times. Owners of one- and two-family dwellings ensure that both a primary exit and a secondary exit—or an approved emergency-use opening meeting the standards of § 231-25—are present and functional. Operators of multiple dwellings verify that all exits meet the city's approval standards and are kept accessible for occupant use in an emergency.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Albany Code § 231-24 gives occupants the right to safe, unobstructed exit paths from their residence to the outside. If exits are blocked, missing, or otherwise non-compliant—such as a missing secondary exit in a one- or two-family dwelling—tenants may have grounds to raise this as a housing code violation. Tenants can report concerns to Albany's code enforcement office or consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand what remedies or defenses may be available.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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