Highland Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 122 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 122-14
Public space
Operative Text
A. Height. Public space shall have a minimum height of seven feet 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 the habitable space or with mechanical ventilation.
Highland Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 122 § 122-14 establishes minimum physical standards for public spaces in buildings, covering ceiling height, lighting, and ventilation. Public spaces must be at least seven feet 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 ventilation must be provided either naturally or through a mechanical system meeting habitable-space standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 122 § 122-14, compliant building operators generally ensure that all public spaces meet the seven-foot minimum ceiling height and that lighting fixtures in stairways and passageways are spaced no more than 30 feet apart, with no wall more than 15 feet from a fixture. Operators typically verify that incandescent or fluorescent lamps meet the prescribed wattage minimums per square foot, rounding up to the next standard lamp size when calculated wattage falls between standard sizes. Ventilation systems in public spaces are generally maintained to satisfy either the natural-ventilation standards applicable to habitable spaces or an equivalent mechanical ventilation system.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 122-14 of the Highland Falls Code of Ordinances gives occupants and users of a building the benefit of safe, well-lit, and adequately ventilated public spaces, including stairways and passageways that must have electric lighting available at all times. If lighting is out, ceilings appear below the seven-foot minimum, or ventilation is inadequate in a public area, these conditions may constitute code violations that can be reported to the relevant local code enforcement or building department. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may also consult a tenant-rights organization to understand what documentation to gather and what local complaint processes 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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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