Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-34

Plumbing

In Force
Verified 11/7/2026 · Next check 2/5/2027
FultonStatutory Standards

Operative Text

Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-34
A. General requirements. (1) Plumbing systems shall be maintained in sanitary and serviceable condition and installed and maintained in accordance with the plumbing standards of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. (2) Plumbing systems shall be maintained so as not to weaken structural members nor cause damage or deterioration to any part of the building through fixture usage. (3) All plumbing fixtures, water supply lines, sewer lines and waste disposal systems and their appurtenances shall be maintained in an operational condition, free from defects, leaks and obstructions. B. Water supply. (1) Potable water from an approved source shall be available at all times in occupied buildings. The domestic water supply system of the building shall be connected to such approved source and shall not be subject to contamination. When supplied from a public source, the potable water supply system shall not be connected to private or unsafe water supplies. (2) Water supply systems shall be installed and maintained so as to provide at all times a supply of water to plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function satisfactorily and without undue noise under all normal conditions of use. (3) Water supply systems shall be installed and maintained so that water used for purposes of cooling, heating or fire-suppression systems shall not be introduced into the domestic water supply system or be distributed through such equipment to plumbing fixtures. C. Sewage drainage systems. (1) Plumbing fixtures shall be drained directly into a sewage drainage system. Such system shall be connected to a public sewer or to an adequate and approved system of sewage disposal. (2) Where a public sewer is not available, a system shall be provided to receive and dispose of sewage without health hazard or nuisance. (3) Sewage or other waste shall not be discharged into the ground or into a waterway unless it has first been rendered harmless through subjection to treatment or to natural processes in conformity with generally accepted standards. (4) Substances which will clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures, destroy the pipes or their joints or interfere unduly with the sewage disposal process shall not be discharged into the building drainage system unless it is provided with approved devices suitable for intercepting such substances. (5) Each fixture directly connected to the sewage drainage system shall be equipped with a water seal trap. (6) Adequate cleanouts shall be provided and maintained so that the pipes may be readily cleaned. (7) The drainage system and its attendant vent piping shall be maintained so as to provide adequate circulation of air in all pipes in order that siphonage, aspiration or pressure will not cause a loss of trap seal under ordinary conditions of use. (8) Each vent terminal to the outer air shall be installed and maintained so as to minimize the possibilities of clogging, frost closure, the return of foul air to the building or the creating of a nuisance to adjacent premises. (9) Drains provided for fixtures, devices, appliances or apparatus containing food, water, sterile goods or similar materials shall be equipped with air breaks adequate to prevent contamination of such contents from any possible backup of sewage through the direct or indirect drainage piping. D. Storm drainage. (1) Roof and paved areas, including yards and courts, shall be properly drained. Storm drainage shall be conveyed to an adequate and approved system of stormwater disposal where available. Storm drains shall be discharged in such manner that water will not flow onto sidewalks or adjacent properties. (2) Where a drainage system may be subject to backwater, suitable provision shall be made to prevent its overflow into the building. (3) Leaders and gutters, if used, shall be constructed of noncombustible material, except that plastic or wood leaders and gutters may be used for buildings not more than three stories high. E. Plumbing facilities. (1) Buildings shall be provided with plumbing systems designed to dispose of the sewage from all fixtures and to furnish cold water to every water closet and urinal and hot and cold water to every sink, lavatory, bathtub and shower required therein. Water-heating facilities shall be properly installed, maintained and capable of providing an adequate volume (not less than 2.5 gallons per minute) of water to be drawn at every required fixture at a temperature of not less than 120° F. (2) There shall be provided within each dwelling unit plumbing features consisting of at least: (a) One kitchen sink. (b) One water closet. (c) One bathtub or shower. (d) One lavatory. (3) Where multiple dwellings contain sleeping accommodations arranged as individual rooms or suites, for each multiple of four sleeping rooms or fraction thereof, there shall be provided plumbing fixtures consisting of at least: (a) One water closet. (b) One bathtub or shower. (c) One lavatory. (4) Where multiple dwellings contain sleeping accommodations arranged as a dormitory, for each multiple of six persons or fraction thereof so accommodated, there shall be provided and located adjacent thereto plumbing fixtures consisting of at least: (a) One water closet. (b) One bathtub or shower. (c) One lavatory. (5) Urinals may be substituted in men's toilet rooms for not more than 1/3 of the required number of water closets. (6) Toilet facilities shall be accessible within employee working areas. The path of travel to the facilities shall not exceed a travel distance of 500 feet or traverse more than one flight of stairs, except where more restrictive requirements are applicable as the result of the facilities having been constructed or undergone a change of occupancy after January 1, 1984, or where required by the Americans With Disabilities Act. (7) Privies, privy vaults and outhouses shall be prohibited on premises which are included in the scope of this chapter. F. Plumbing fixtures. (1) Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth nonabsorbent material and shall be free from concealed fouling surfaces. (2) Plumbing fixtures shall be so placed as to be reasonably accessible for their intended use. (3) Plumbing fixtures shall be located in spaces that are accessible, lighted and ventilated. G. Swimming pools. (See also § 475-49L .) (1) The water supply used for filling or for cleaning of the pool shall be clean. The water supply shall be protected against potential pollution from all sources, including cross-connection and backflow. (2) Drains shall be provided so that the pool can be safely and adequately drained. Drains shall be provided in floors surrounding the swimming pool and arranged so that water from such areas will drain without entering the pool. (3) Filtering, sterilizing and auxiliary equipment, where required, shall be adequate to maintain the sanitary quality of water during such period the pool is in use. Equipment containing gases or disinfectants capable of giving off irritating toxic or flammable fumes shall be located in ventilated rooms. (4) The installation shall be arranged and maintained to prevent dirt, sand or other foreign matter from entering the bathing area. H. Water supply tanks. (1) Water supply tanks shall be installed and maintained so as to be safe/sanitary, watertight, verminproof, rodentproof, resistant to corrosion and capable of withstanding the working pressures under normal operation. (2) Supports for tanks shall be of noncombustible construction. (3) Tanks and their supports shall not be used to support equipment or structures other than for tank use, except where specially designed for such other use. (4) Means for emptying water supply tanks shall be provided and maintained in proper working condition. (5) Potable water supply tanks for domestic supply and standpipe or automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained to furnish water in sufficient quantity and pressure for such systems.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Section 475-34 of Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 establishes comprehensive standards for plumbing systems in occupied buildings, covering everything from water supply and sewage drainage to storm drainage, swimming pools, and water supply tanks. The rule requires that all plumbing fixtures, pipes, and related systems be kept in safe, sanitary, and fully operational condition at all times, with potable water continuously available and sewage properly routed to approved disposal systems. It also sets minimum fixture counts for dwelling units, dormitories, and multi-unit sleeping arrangements, and prohibits privies and outhouses on covered premises.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on November 7, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Property owners and managers subject to § 475-34 generally keep all plumbing fixtures, water supply lines, sewer lines, and drainage systems free from leaks, defects, and obstructions, and ensure systems meet New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code standards. Compliant operators verify that each dwelling unit contains at minimum a kitchen sink, water closet, bathtub or shower, and lavatory, and that hot water is available at every required fixture at no less than 120°F with a flow of at least 2.5 gallons per minute. Routine inspections of vent piping, cleanouts, storm drainage, and water supply tanks—including checks for cross-connection, backflow, and structural integrity—are characteristic practices of operators maintaining compliance with this section.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Under § 475-34, tenants in Fulton, N.Y., have a right to fully operational plumbing, continuous potable water, and properly functioning sewage and drainage systems in their homes. If fixtures are broken, water pressure is inadequate, leaks are present, or minimum fixture requirements are not met, these conditions may constitute violations of this provision that can be raised in housing proceedings or reported to the appropriate local code enforcement authority. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand how documented plumbing deficiencies under § 475-34 may factor into housing complaints or other available remedies.

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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References Out

Rules and statutes cited by this regulation

References In

Rules and statutes that cite this regulation

Fulton Code § 475-16
Fulton Code § 475-39
Fulton Code § 475-37
Fulton Code § 475-49
Fulton Code § 475-25
Fulton Code § 475-55
Fulton Code § 475-50
Fulton Code § 475-34

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Source Information

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Fetched:Nov 7, 2026, 09:45 AM UTC