Fallsburg, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 156 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 156-12
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 watt per 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 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.
Section 156-12 of Fallsburg's Code of Ordinances establishes minimum physical standards for public spaces in 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.
Operators of buildings subject to Fallsburg Code ch. 156 § 156-12 generally ensure that all public spaces meet the seven-foot-six-inch minimum ceiling height and that lighting fixtures are spaced no more than 30 feet apart, with no wall more than 15 feet from a fixture. Compliant operators verify that incandescent or fluorescent lamps meet the minimum wattage-per-square-foot thresholds specified in the provision, rounding up to the next standard lamp size when calculated wattage falls between standard sizes. Ventilation in public spaces is maintained through either natural ventilation meeting habitable-space standards or an approved mechanical ventilation system, as required under § 156-12.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 156-12 of the Fallsburg Code gives occupants and users of buildings a baseline expectation that public spaces, stairways, and passageways will be adequately lit, ventilated, and of sufficient height for safe use. If lighting in a stairwell or common area appears insufficient or is not consistently available, or if ventilation seems inadequate, this provision may be relevant to a complaint filed with the appropriate local code enforcement authority in Fallsburg. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may also consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation