Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 151-67
Ventilation
Operative Text
A. Habitable spaces. Habitable space shall have natural ventilation provided by means of openable parts of windows or other openings in exterior walls that face directly on open space or through openable parts of skylights. B. Bathrooms and toilet rooms. Every bathroom and toilet room shall comply with the ventilation requirements for habitable spaces as required by Subsection A , except that a window shall not be required in such spaces equipped with a mechanical ventilation system. Air exhausted by a mechanical ventilation system from a bathroom or toilet room shall discharge to the outdoors and shall not be recirculated. C. Cooking facilities. (1) Unless approved through the certificate of occupancy, cooking shall not be permitted in any rooming unit or dormitory unit, and a cooking facility or appliance shall not be permitted to be present in a rooming unit or dormitory unit. Exception: where specifically approved, in writing, by the code official. (2) Kitchens and kitchenettes without windows shall be provided with mechanical ventilation. D. Process ventilation. Where injurious, toxic, irritating or noxious fumes, gases, dusts or mists are generated, a local exhaust ventilation system shall be provided to remove the contaminating agent at the source. Air shall be exhausted to the exterior and shall not be recirculated to any space. E. Clothes dryer exhaust. Clothes dryer venting systems shall be independent of all other systems and shall be vented in accordance with the stricter of the manufacturer's instructions or the Building Code.
Section 151-67 of Amherst, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 151 establishes ventilation standards for residential and rental spaces. Habitable rooms must have openable windows or skylights providing natural airflow, while bathrooms may substitute a mechanical exhaust system that vents directly outdoors. Kitchens without windows require mechanical ventilation, cooking is generally prohibited in rooming or dormitory units unless a code official approves it in writing, and clothes dryer exhaust must run through its own independent system vented to the outside.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties in Amherst should ensure that every habitable room covered by § 151-67 has functional openable windows or equivalent exterior openings, and that any bathroom relying on mechanical ventilation exhausts air directly to the outdoors rather than recirculating it. Kitchenettes lacking windows must be fitted with mechanical ventilation systems, and cooking appliances should not be present in rooming or dormitory units without written approval from the code official. Clothes dryer exhaust systems must be kept independent of all other building systems and vented externally in compliance with the stricter of manufacturer specifications or the Building Code.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Amherst Code § 151-67, tenants are entitled to rental units with adequate ventilation — openable windows or skylights in living spaces, proper exhaust in bathrooms, and mechanical ventilation in windowless kitchens. If a unit's ventilation appears to fall short of these standards — for example, a bathroom fan that recirculates air indoors or a dryer vent that exhausts into a shared space — tenants can document the condition and report it to Amherst's code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what local complaint processes 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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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