Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-17
Public space
Operative Text
A. Height. Assembly space shall have a minimum height of seven feet six inches measured from finished floor to finished ceiling for fewer than 100 people. For over 100 people, the minimum height is eight feet. B. Light and ventilation. (1) Public spaces shall be provided with electric light. (2) In public stairs, stairways and passageways, electric lighting shall be available at all times so as to afford safe passage for occupants and users. Such lighting shall conform to the requirements of § 475-39B(2)(a) of this chapter. (3) Public spaces shall be provided with either natural ventilation, conforming to the requirements for habitable space, or other mechanical ventilation.
Section 475-17 of Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 475 establishes minimum physical standards for public spaces in buildings. Assembly areas must meet specific ceiling height requirements—seven feet six inches for gatherings of fewer than 100 people, and eight feet for larger gatherings. All public spaces must have electric lighting, with stairways and passageways lit at all times for safe passage, and must be served by either natural or mechanical ventilation meeting the standards set out elsewhere in the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of buildings with public or assembly spaces in Fulton, N.Y., are generally expected to ensure those spaces comply with the ceiling height, lighting, and ventilation requirements of § 475-17. This means verifying that assembly rooms meet the applicable height threshold based on expected occupancy, that electric lighting is installed throughout public areas, and that stairways and passageways are continuously lit. Ventilation systems—whether natural or mechanical—should conform to the standards referenced in Chapter 475 for habitable space.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 475-17 of Fulton's Code of Ordinances gives occupants and users of buildings a baseline expectation of safe, adequately lit, and ventilated public spaces. If stairways, passageways, or assembly areas appear to fall short of these standards—such as persistent lighting outages or inadequate ceiling clearance—tenants may have grounds to raise these conditions as code compliance concerns. General enforcement paths can include contacting the local code enforcement or building department, documenting the conditions, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance.
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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation