Gloversville, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 170 § 170-5
Lighting and ventilation
Operative Text
A. Every habitable room shall have a window or skylight opening directly to the outside. The total area of such window or skylight shall not be less than eight percent (8%) of the floor area of such room. All windows and skylights shall be enclosed with glass and shall be provided with suitable hardware and sash cords and made to open to the extent of four percent (4%) of the floor area. Every dwelling, habitable room and hall shall be equipped with a safe, artificial lighting service, and all electrical wiring, outlets and fixtures thereof shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of local municipal ordinances and statutes of this state. Habitable space may also be provided with mechanical ventilation, in addition to natural ventilation. B. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall have at least one (1) window facing to the outdoors and having a minimum openable area of four percent (4%) of the floor area of such room except where there is supplied some other device approved by the enforcement officer as affording adequate ventilation. C. Every dwelling shall be supplied with electricity. Within such dwelling: (1) Every habitable room shall contain at least two (2) separate floor- or wall-type electric convenience outlets, or one (1) such convenience outlet and one (1) supplied ceiling-type electric light fixture. (2) Every water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room and public hall shall contain at least one (1) supplied ceiling- or wall-type electric light fixture. (3) Every outlet and fixture shall be properly installed and maintained in good and safe working condition.
Section 170-5 of Gloversville's Code of Ordinances establishes minimum standards for natural light, ventilation, and electrical service in dwellings. Every habitable room must have a window or skylight covering at least 8% of the floor area, with an openable portion of at least 4%, and bathrooms must have an outdoor-facing window or an approved alternative ventilation device. All dwellings must be supplied with electricity, with specific minimum numbers of outlets or light fixtures required in each type of room, and all electrical components must be kept in safe working order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Gloversville are generally expected to verify that each habitable room meets the window-area and openability thresholds set out in § 170-5, and that bathrooms either have a qualifying outdoor window or a ventilation device approved by the enforcement officer. Compliant operators also ensure that every habitable room contains at least two electrical outlets or one outlet plus a ceiling fixture, and that utility rooms, bathrooms, and public halls each have at least one ceiling- or wall-type light fixture. Routine inspections of all wiring, outlets, and fixtures help confirm that electrical components remain properly installed and in safe working condition as required by § 170-5.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 170-5 of Gloversville's Code of Ordinances, tenants have a right to habitable rooms with adequate natural light and ventilation, functioning outdoor-facing windows or approved ventilation in bathrooms, and a minimum number of working electrical outlets and fixtures throughout the dwelling. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards — for example, a room lacks sufficient window area or outlets are not functioning safely — tenants may consider documenting the conditions and raising the issue with the local code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how § 170-5 applies to their housing conditions and what complaint or defense options may be available.
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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