Babylon Village, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 199 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 199-14
Public space
Operative Text
Public space shall meet the following requirements: A. Height. The minimum height of any public space shall comply with generally accepted standards. B. Light and ventilation. Public spaces shall be provided with artificial light and ventilation as follows: (1) All public spaces shall be provided with artificial light. (2) In public stairs, stairways and passageways, such artificial light shall be electric lighting available at all times so as to afford safe passage for occupants and users. Such lighting shall conform to the following: (a) A sufficient number of fixtures shall be provided so that the distance between fixtures is not more than 30 feet and so that no wall is more than 15 feet distant from a fixture. (b) Incandescent lighting shall be based on not less than 1/4 watt per square foot of floor area, except that each fixture shall have a lamp or lamps of a total of not less than 15 watts. (c) Fluorescent lighting shall be based on not less than 1/10 watt per square foot of floor area, except that each fixture shall have a lamp or lamps of a total of not less than 15 watts. (d) Where under these formulas the calculated wattage does not correspond to that of a standard lamp, the next larger size shall be used. (3) Public spaces shall be provided with either natural ventilation conforming to the requirements for habitable space or with mechanical ventilation.
Babylon Village, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 199 § 199-14 establishes minimum standards for shared or common areas in residential buildings. These public spaces must meet accepted height standards, be equipped with artificial lighting at all times, and have either natural or mechanical ventilation. Lighting in stairways and passageways must follow specific wattage and fixture-spacing rules to ensure safe passage for all occupants and users.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 199 § 199-14, operators of residential properties in Babylon Village generally ensure that all public spaces — including stairways, hallways, and passageways — are continuously lit with electric lighting meeting the prescribed wattage minimums and fixture-spacing requirements. Compliant operators also verify that ventilation in these areas meets either the natural ventilation standard for habitable space or a mechanical ventilation equivalent. Routine inspections of lighting fixtures and ventilation systems help confirm ongoing compliance with these requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 199-14 of the Babylon Village Code gives occupants a right to safely lit and adequately ventilated common areas, including stairways and passageways, at all times. If lighting is out, fixtures are spaced too far apart, or ventilation is inadequate in shared spaces, this provision may be relevant to a housing complaint or code-enforcement inquiry with the applicable local building or housing authority. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may consider contacting Babylon Village's code enforcement office or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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