Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 157-13
Public space
Operative Text
A. Height. Public space shall have a minimum height of seven feet six inches measured from finished floor to finished ceiling. B. Light and ventilation. (1) Public spaces shall be provided with artificial light. (2) In public stairs, stairways and passageways, 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 wait per one square foot of floor area, except that each fixture shall have a lamp or lamps with a total of not less than 25 watts. (c) Fluorescent lighting shall be based on not less than 1/10 watt per one 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.
Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 § 157-13 establishes minimum standards for public spaces in residential buildings, covering ceiling height, lighting, and ventilation. Public spaces must be at least seven feet six inches tall from finished floor to finished ceiling, and must be equipped with artificial lighting that meets specific wattage and fixture-spacing requirements. Stairways and passageways require electric lighting available at all times, and all public spaces must have either natural or mechanical ventilation meeting the code's standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 § 157-13 generally ensure that all public spaces in their buildings meet the seven-foot-six-inch minimum ceiling height and maintain continuously available electric lighting in stairways, passageways, and common areas. Compliant operators typically verify that lighting fixtures are spaced no more than 30 feet apart, that no wall is more than 15 feet from a fixture, and that wattage meets the prescribed minimums for incandescent or fluorescent sources. Ventilation systems in public spaces are also kept in conformance with the code's requirements for either natural or mechanical ventilation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 § 157-13, tenants and building users are entitled to public spaces—including stairways and passageways—that are adequately lit at all times and properly ventilated. If lighting in common areas is insufficient, fixtures are improperly spaced, or ventilation is absent, these conditions may constitute code violations that can be reported to the appropriate local code enforcement or housing authority. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may also consult a 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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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