Binghamton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 265 § 265-12
Light, ventilation, electricity and heat
Operative Text
A. Every habitable room shall have a minimum of one or more windows or skylights facing directly to the outdoors that are equal to at least 1/8 of the floor surface of the room and are able to be easily opened. B. A window shall not be deemed to face directly outdoors or be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area whenever walls or other portions or structures face the window and are located within three feet from the window and extend to the ceiling. C. Every habitable room of every dwelling or rental unit shall either possess at least one electrical receptacle for every 20 linear feet of the total distance around the room as measured horizontally along the floor line of the wall type. D. Every outlet and fixture shall be properly installed and connected to a source of electric power in a safe manner. (1) Overcurrent protection. Fuseholders for plug fuses of 30 amperes or less shall not be installed or used unless they are of the type "S" with the adaptor inserted, or of the type "S" construction. Fuses or circuit breakers shall not exceed the wire (conductor) capacity of the circuit. (2) There shall be at least one lighting circuit for each 500 square feet of floor space and at least one circuit for appliances which is separate from lighting circuits. If only one lighting circuit is in existence, all new additional outlets shall be installed on a new circuit or circuits. (3) Electrical fixtures, devices, wiring and systems shall be maintained in safe working condition in a manner which will avoid a potential source of ignition or shock. Deteriorated materials and equipment shall be removed and replaced as may be required. (4) Panel boards (fuse/circuit breaker boxes) shall be kept free from encumbrances and shall be accessible at all times. E. In every rental unit, every occupant shall have access to his or her disconnecting means and overcurrent protection at all times, including their utility meters, furnace and hot water tanks, wherever located at all times. F. Heating facilities. (1) In the absence of a written contract or an agreement to the contrary, the owner or operator shall be responsible for supplying heating facilities which are capable of safely and adequately heating every room in every rental unit to an average minimum temperature of 68° F. when the outside street temperature is below 55° F. (2) The room temperature shall be measured from at least two distinct locations in the rooms at a distance of three feet from the floor level. (3) Timing devices, or the use of timing devices, which cause the temperature within a dwelling unit to fall below the minimum temperature set both in Subsection F(1) shall be prohibited. G. Every basement or cellar window used or intended to be used for ventilation and every other opening to a basement which might provide entry for rodents shall be supplied with a screen or another similar device to prevent their entrance. H. From May 1 to October, entrances to residential buildings (other than single-family owner-occupied) shall be provided with a minimum of one self-closing device or screen per room. Windows and other openings, including doors used for ventilation, shall be appropriately screened. I. Upon receipt of notice from utility companies that they intend to shut off service to a rented apartment(s) due to lack of payment by the landlord/property owners responsible for said service, the Code Enforcement Bureau will send a notice to the landlord/property owner advising that the discontinuance of utility service to occupied unit(s) without proper notice (see § 265-7F) is a violation of this code. Should a final notice of the intent to discontinue service be received, an appearance ticket shall be issued by the Code Enforcement Bureau to said offender. Should service be discontinued, an emergency order will then be issued.
Section 265-12 of Binghamton's Code of Ordinances establishes minimum standards for light, ventilation, electrical systems, and heat in habitable rooms and rental units. Habitable rooms must have operable windows or skylights totaling at least one-eighth of the floor area, sufficient electrical outlets and circuits, and heating systems capable of maintaining at least 68°F when outdoor temperatures drop below 55°F. The provision also addresses electrical safety, rodent screening, seasonal insect screening, and protections against utility shutoffs caused by a landlord's failure to pay utility bills.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties subject to § 265-12 generally ensure that each habitable room has properly sized, operable windows and an adequate number of electrical receptacles—at least one per every 20 linear feet of wall perimeter. Compliant operators maintain electrical panels, wiring, and fixtures in safe working order, keep panel boards accessible at all times, and provide heating systems capable of reaching 68°F during cold weather without the use of prohibited timing devices that allow temperatures to fall below that threshold. Landlords responsible for utility payments should be aware that under § 265-12(I), the Code Enforcement Bureau will issue an appearance ticket and potentially an emergency order if utility service to occupied units is discontinued due to nonpayment.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 265-12, tenants in Binghamton rental units have a right to habitable rooms with adequate natural light, sufficient electrical outlets and safe wiring, and heat maintained at a minimum of 68°F when outdoor temperatures fall below 55°F. Tenants also have the right to access their own disconnecting means, overcurrent protection, utility meters, furnace, and hot water tank at all times as provided in § 265-12(E). If these conditions are not met—including situations where a landlord's failure to pay utilities threatens service to an occupied unit—tenants may consider contacting the Binghamton Code Enforcement Bureau to report a potential violation or reaching out to 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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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