Canton Village, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 183 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 183-31
Electrical standards
Operative Text
A. General requirements. (1) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be installed in conformity with generally accepted standards and maintained so as not to be a potential source of ignition of combustible material or a potential source of electrical hazard. (2) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted. (3) Electrical wiring and equipment installed in damp or wet locations or where exposed to explosive or flammable gases, or to excessive temperatures, shall be of a type approved for the purpose and location. (4) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be protected against excessive current by properly rated overcurrent devices. (5) Electrical wiring and equipment shall be grounded or otherwise protected by insulation, isolation or guarding so as to minimize the danger of high voltages from lightning or other causes. (6) Electrical equipment which in ordinary operation produces arcs or sparks shall be enclosed unless separated and isolated from all combustible material. (7) Service equipment and overcurrent protection devices shall be installed and maintained in a readily accessible location. B. Artificial lighting. (1) Residential buildings and occupancies shall be wired for electricity, and lighting equipment shall be installed throughout to provide adequate illumination for the intended use of each space. Electric wiring system shall be connected to an adequate source of supply. (2) There shall be a switch or other means for controlling a light in each dwelling unit near the point of entrance to such unit. C. Exit and directional signs. (1) Exits in multiple dwellings shall be provided with exit and directional signs, visible from the approach to the exits, except that such signs shall not be required in those portions of a building which contain dwelling units only, or in which exit from sleeping rooms is directly to the outside. (2) Directional signs shall be provided at locations from which the exit doorway is not readily discernible. (3) Such signs shall be worded in plainly legible block letters with the word "EXIT" for exit signs and the words "TO EXIT" with a suitable pointer or arrow indicating the direction of exit for directional signs. Letters for signs shall be conspicuous, readily discernible and at least six inches high, except that for internally illuminated signs the height of such letters shall be at least 41/2 inches. (4) Exit and directional signs shall be illuminated either externally or internally by electric lights and shall be kept illuminated at all times when the building is occupied.
Canton Village, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 183 § 183-31 establishes comprehensive electrical safety standards for residential buildings, covering everything from wiring installation and grounding to lighting and exit signage. Electrical systems must be installed to accepted standards, protected against overcurrent and high voltage, and kept free of ignition hazards. Multiple dwellings are also required to maintain illuminated exit and directional signs whenever the building is occupied, with specific requirements for letter size and wording.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 183-31, compliant property operators generally ensure that all electrical wiring and equipment is firmly secured, properly grounded, and protected by correctly rated overcurrent devices. Operators of multiple dwellings also maintain illuminated exit and directional signs at all times during occupancy, with block letters at least six inches high (or 4½ inches for internally illuminated signs) reading 'EXIT' or 'TO EXIT' with directional arrows. Service equipment and overcurrent protection devices are kept in readily accessible locations, and any wiring in damp, wet, or high-temperature environments uses materials approved for those conditions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 183-31 of the Canton Village Code gives tenants the right to expect safe, properly installed electrical systems and adequate lighting throughout their dwelling unit, including a light switch near each unit's entrance. In multiple dwellings, tenants are also entitled to properly illuminated and clearly worded exit and directional signs whenever the building is occupied. Tenants who observe conditions that appear to violate these standards — such as exposed wiring, missing exit signs, or inaccessible electrical panels — may consider documenting the issue and reaching out to the local code enforcement or housing authority, or consulting a tenant-rights organization for guidance on 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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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