Glen Cove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 168 § 168-7

Word usage; abbreviations; definitions

In Force
Verified 11/7/2026 · Next check 2/5/2027
Glen CoveHabitability & Repair

Operative Text

Glen Cove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 168 § 168-7
A. General word usage. (1) Abbreviations, terms, phrases, words and their derivatives used in this Part 1 shall have the meanings stated in this section. Terms and words not defined shall have their ordinarily accepted meanings or such as the context may imply. (2) Words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural include the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter genders. (3) "Shall" as used in this Part 1 is always to be construed as mandatory. B. Abbreviations. The following abbreviations as used throughout this Part 1 shall have the following meanings: Btu British thermal unit C. Centigrade cfm Cubic feet per minute F. Fahrenheit ft Foot or feet gal Gallon or gallons gpm Gallons per minute in. Inch or inches psf Pounds per square foot psi Pounds per square inch C. Definitions. As used in this Part 1 , the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: ACCESSORY STRUCTURE A structure used or occupied as an adjunct of, or in conjunction with, the use or occupancy of premises, or building or buildings thereon, and which is located on the premises or adjacent thereto. ACCESSORY USE A use or occupancy of premises in conjunction with, or for the service of, the residential use. Such accessory use may be located within a residential building or on the same or adjoining premises and may include, but not be limited to: (1) Offices for the building management. (2) Public dining rooms, banquet rooms, public kitchens and ballrooms. (3) Recreation and play rooms. (4) Laundries for the use of occupants, provided by or in connection with the management and operation of a residential building. (5) Maintenance and workshops, storage rooms for linen, bedding, furniture, supplies and occupants' equipment and effects. (6) Stores, rooms or space for the sale or display of merchandise. (7) Garages used for the storage of motor vehicles. AMPACITY Current-carrying capacity expressed in amperes. APARTMENT A dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling or mixed occupancy building. APARTMENT HOTEL A building containing primarily apartments rented, either furnished or unfurnished, with maid, telephone, desk, linen or other services provided to the occupants. See "hotel," "multiple dwelling." APARTMENT HOUSE A building containing primarily apartments. See "apartment hotel," "multiple dwelling." APPROVED Adjudged satisfactory by the administrative officer pursuant to the regulations of this Part 1 , by an authority designated by law or this Part 1 or, when used in connection with materials, appliances, equipment or devices, by a testing agency recognized under the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. BASEMENT That space of a building that is partly below grade, which has 1/2 or more of its height, measured from floor to ceiling, above the average finished grade. BATHROOM An enclosed space containing one or more bathtubs, showers, or both, and which may also contain water closets, lavatories or fixtures serving similar purposes. See "toilet room." BOARDINGHOUSE See "lodging house." BOATEL See "hotel." BUILDING A structure wholly or partially enclosed within exterior walls, or within exterior and party walls and a roof. The term "building" shall be construed as if followed by the phrase "or part thereof," unless otherwise indicated by the text. CELLAR That space of a building that is partly or entirely below grade, which has more than 1/2 of its height, measured from floor to ceiling, below the average finished grade. CENTRAL DINING ROOM A room where meals are furnished or served. CENTRAL KITCHEN A kitchen serving a central dining room. CLUB See "dormitory." COMBUSTIBLE Material or combination of materials which will ignite and support combustion when heated at any temperature up to 1,382º F. (750º C.), during an exposure for five minutes. COMMUNAL DINING ROOM A room designed and equipped for eating purposes for occupants. COMMUNAL KITCHEN A kitchen available for common use of occupants. CONTAINER Any trash receptacle larger than a standard trash can which shall be stationed on any property for the purpose of depositing refuse; also known as a "dumpster." Container shall also include such a receptacle used for the temporary storage of items, such as a POD. CONVALESCENT HOME A facility regulated by the state and operated for the purpose of providing therein lodging, board and bedside care or hygienic attention, but not including medical or nursing care to sick, infirm, disabled or convalescent persons. DORMITORY A building containing dormitory units, lodging units or apartments for the use of students, employees or guests. See "multiple dwelling." DORMITORY UNIT A room designed to be used for sleeping purposes only, by four or more occupants. DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY A building containing only one dwelling unit and occupied by only one family. DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY A building containing only two dwelling units and occupied by only two families. DWELLING UNIT A complete self-contained residential unit, with living, sleeping, cooking and sanitary facilities within the unit, for use by one family. EXIT A way of departure from the interior of a building or structure to the exterior, at a street, or to a yard, court or passageway leading to a public open area, including doorways, passageways, hallways, corridors, stairways, ramps, fire escapes and all other elements necessary for egress or escape. FALLOUT SHELTER A building, structure or other real property, or an area or portion thereof, constructed, altered or improved to afford protection against radioactive fallout. FAMILY See § 280-6 of Chapter 280 , Zoning. FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING Time in hours, or parts thereof, that a material, construction or assembly will withstand fire exposure, as determined in a fire test made in conformity with generally accepted standards, or as determined by extension or interpretation of information derived therefrom. FLAME-RESISTANT MATERIAL Material which is flame-resistant by nature or has been made flame-resistant in conformity with generally accepted standards. FLAME-SPREAD RATING The measurement of flame spread on the surface of materials or their assemblies, as determined by tests conducted in conformity with a generally accepted standard. FRATERNITY HOUSE See "dormitory." GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARD A specification, code, rule, guide or procedure in the field of construction, or related thereto, recognized and accepted as authoritative under the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, listed and published as of January 1, 1973. GRADE (1) FINISHED Natural surface of the ground, or surface of ground after completion of any change in contour. (2) AVERAGE FINISHED The average elevation of the finished grade adjoining a building wall. Where two or more building walls are involved, the average shall be computed on the following basis: multiply the length of each building wall by the average elevation along the respective wall and add the products obtained to form a total; divide this total by the sum of the lengths of the building walls. GROUND COVER (1) VEGETATIVE Lawn, turf or vegetative growth other than weeds, thistles, allergenics, drug derivatives or similar plants. (2) MECHANICAL Crushed stone or other mechanically-applied materials which stabilize ground surface. HABITABLE SPACE Space used for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Kitchenettes shall not be deemed to be habitable space. See "nonhabitable space," "public space" and "exit." HOTEL A building containing primarily hotel units, for the purpose of furnishing lodging, with or without meals, for transient occupancy; and with management maintaining a register and providing daily housekeeping and other incidental services, including desk, telephone or bellboy services. See "apartment hotel," multiple dwelling." HOTEL UNIT A room or group of rooms forming a single unit, used or intended to be used for living and sleeping purposes, with or without sanitary facilities, and having no cooking facilities. See "dwelling unit." INFESTATION The presence within a building or structure or on premises of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests. INTERIOR FINISH Material applied directly to walls or ceilings for acoustical correction, surface insulation, decorative treatment or similar purposes, including but not limited to veneer, wainscoting and paneling. Surface finishes of wallpaper or other materials not more than 1/28 inch thick having no greater fire hazard than wallpaper shall not be deemed to be interior finish. INTERIOR TRIM Material, generally not exceeding 12 inches in width, around openings or on wall or ceiling, including casings, stools, aprons, baseboards, chair rails, picture molds, cornice moldings and moldings applied for decoration. KITCHEN Space, 60 square feet or more in floor area, designed and equipped for the purpose of cooking and preparation of food. See "central kitchen," "communal kitchen." KITCHENETTE Space, less than 60 square feet in floor area, designed and equipped for the purpose of cooking and preparation of food. LODGING HOUSE A building containing primarily lodging units, with or without meals provided as a condition of occupancy. See "multiple dwelling." LODGING UNIT A room or group of rooms forming a single unit, used or intended to be used for living and sleeping purposes, with or without sanitary facilities, and having no cooking facilities. See "dwelling unit." MIGRANT A seasonal laborer who moves from area to area for work purposes in agriculture, horticulture or food processing. MIGRANT HOUSING PREMISES Property used, or intended to be used, as residential accommodations and related facilities for migrants. MIXED OCCUPANCY BUILDING A building occupied in part for residential use and in part for some other nonaccessory use. See "multiple dwelling." MOBILE HOUSING PREMISES Property, including improvements and facilities, designed to accommodate mobile homes and recreational vehicles, including such units located thereon. MOTEL See "hotel." MULTIPLE DWELLING (1) Any of the following: (a) A building designed or occupied for residential purposes by more than two families; (b) A series of attached, detached or semidetached buildings, which are provided as a group collectively with essential services and utilities, and which are located on a lot, plot or parcel or land, under common ownership; or (c) The residential part of a mixed occupancy building. (2) Regardless of the foregoing, any residential building, other than a one- or two-family dwelling on a single zoning lot, shall be deemed to be a multiple dwelling. MUNICIPALITY The City of Glen Cove in the County of Nassau and State of New York. NEW YORK STATE UNIFORM FIRE PREVENTION AND BUILDING CODE The rules and regulations relating to building construction, as promulgated by the State Building Code Council, and which collectively are known as the "New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code," as in force and effect on January 1, 1973. NONCOMBUSTIBLE Material or combination of materials which will not ignite and support combustion when heated at any temperature up to 1,382º F. (750º C.), during an exposure for five minutes. NONHABITABLE SPACE Space used for and including, but not limited to, kitchenettes, pantries, bath, toilet, laundry, rest, dressing, locker, storage, utility, heater and boiler rooms, and other spaces for service and maintenance of the building or structure. See "habitable space," "public space" and "exit." NURSING HOME A facility regulated by the state, providing therein nursing care to sick, invalid, infirm, disabled or convalescent persons, in addition to lodging and board. OCCUPANT The person in occupancy or in possession or in control of premises, or using premises. OLD-AGE HOME A facility regulated by the state, and operated for the purpose of providing therein care to adult persons who, though not requiring medical or nursing care, are in such condition by reason of age as to require, in addition to lodging and board, personal services to assure their safety and comfort. OWNER The person exercising dominion or control over, or vested with title in, premises; a proprietor (legal owner, joint owner, part owner, record owner, equitable owner, reputed owner or their successors in interest); or the respective agent of any of them. PLUMBING SYSTEM The water supply system, drainage system, vent system, fixtures and traps, including their respective connections, devices and appurtenances within property lines. POTABLE WATER Water approved for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes. PROPERTY Land, including buildings, structures, facilities and improvements, used, or intended to be used, as residential accommodations or facilities. PUBLIC SPACE Space within a building for public use, such as lobbies, lounges, reception, ball, meeting, lecture and recreation rooms, banquet and dining rooms, including appurtenant kitchens, and swimming pools. RESIDENTIAL PREMISES Property used, or intended to be used, for dwelling or related purposes. ROOMING HOUSE See "lodging house." SEWAGE Liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution, and which may include industrial wastes and liquids containing chemicals. SHOWER ROOM See "bathroom." SORORITY HOUSE See "dormitory." STORY The portion of a building which is between one floor level and the next higher floor level or the roof. If a mezzanine floor area exceeds 1/3 of the floor immediately below, it shall be deemed to be a story. A basement shall be deemed to be a story when its ceiling is six or more feet above the average finished grade. A cellar shall not be deemed to be a story. An attic shall not be deemed to be a story if unfinished and not used for human occupancy. STRUCTURE An assembly of materials forming a construction framed of component structural parts for occupancy or use, including buildings. SUPERINTENDENT Superintendent, whose responsibilities include seven-day, twenty-four-hour presence on the premises with an emergency telephone number and designated apartment prominently disclosed; possession of keys to all rooms; maintenance of lighting, drainage, vents, electrical systems, plumbing, common areas, heating system, smoke detectors (appliances where lease so stipulates); basic cleanliness of building; secure elevator/building; and removal of vagrants and trespassers. TOILET ROOM An enclosed space containing one or more water closets, which may also contain one or more lavatories, urinals and other plumbing fixtures. See "bathroom." VENTILATION The supply to and removal of air from a space by natural or mechanical means: (1) NATURAL Ventilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights, doors, louvers or stacks with or without wind-driven devices. (2) MECHANICAL Ventilation by power-driven devices.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Section 168-7 of Glen Cove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 168 establishes the foundational vocabulary and interpretive rules for the entire housing maintenance code (Part 1). It sets out how words like 'shall' are to be read (as mandatory), how singular and plural terms apply interchangeably, and provides precise definitions for dozens of terms—from 'apartment' and 'dwelling unit' to 'superintendent' and 'multiple dwelling'—that govern how all other provisions in the chapter are understood and applied. Any term not explicitly defined is to be given its ordinary accepted meaning or the meaning the context implies.

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

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Property owners and managers operating under Chapter 168 should be familiar with the definitions in § 168-7, because every substantive obligation in Part 1 is interpreted through this section's vocabulary. For example, the definition of 'superintendent' in § 168-7 specifies duties such as round-the-clock availability, key possession, and maintenance of common systems, which compliant operators typically ensure are reflected in staffing arrangements. Operators of buildings that qualify as 'multiple dwellings' under § 168-7 should also confirm that their properties are managed in accordance with the obligations that classification triggers throughout the rest of the code.

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

For Tenants

Tenants living in Glen Cove residential properties benefit from § 168-7 because it anchors the definitions that determine what protections apply to their home—for instance, whether a building qualifies as a 'multiple dwelling' or what duties a 'superintendent' is required to fulfill. If a tenant believes a landlord or building superintendent is not meeting the standards described in the code, they may raise the relevant definitions under § 168-7 as context when filing a complaint with the appropriate local authority or when consulting a tenant-rights organization. Understanding how terms like 'habitable space,' 'dwelling unit,' and 'owner' are defined in § 168-7 can help tenants identify which provisions of Chapter 168 apply to their situation.

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

Click on timeline segments to view historical versions.

References Out

No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.

References In

No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.

Related Rules

§ 244.260
Compliance required
§ 14.567
ADOPTED BY REFERENCE
§ 244.340
Sewer and water connections

Source Information

Snapshot SHA:
Fetched:Nov 7, 2026, 08:10 AM UTC