Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-40
Locks
Operative Text
A. Doors. (1) On all rental dwelling units, the owner of the property shall provide no fewer than one locking device on each door that serves as an entrance or exit for the rental unit. Such locking device shall be kept in good working order at all times and must be of the dead-bolt type meeting federal standards or of equal security capability. (2) All entry and exit doors, door casings and hardware must be of sound construction and properly attached. (3) All outer doors that are not used for exit or entry to the dwelling unit must conform to the standards listed in this section or be removed and the opening closed to conform to the existing wall. B. Windows. On all rental dwelling units, there shall be a sturdy locking device in proper working order on each window that is capable of being opened. All windows, locks, frames and hardware must be of sound construction and in proper working order.
Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-40 establishes minimum security standards for doors and windows in rental dwelling units. Every entrance and exit door must have at least one functioning dead-bolt-type lock meeting federal standards, and all door components must be structurally sound and properly installed. Every openable window must similarly have a sturdy, working locking device, with all window components kept in sound condition.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 210 § 210-40, compliant rental property operators ensure that each entrance and exit door is equipped with at least one dead-bolt-type lock meeting federal standards, kept in good working order at all times. Door casings, hardware, and frames must be structurally sound and properly attached, and any outer door not used for entry or exit must either meet the same standards or be removed and the opening sealed to match the existing wall. For windows, operators maintain a sturdy, functioning locking device on every openable window and keep all associated frames and hardware in sound condition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 210-40 of the Ithaca Code of Ordinances gives renters the right to have at least one working dead-bolt-type lock on every entrance and exit door, as well as a sturdy working lock on every openable window. If a lock is broken, missing, or does not meet the required standard, tenants may document the condition in writing and notify the property owner, since the owner bears the ongoing obligation to keep these devices in good working order. Tenants who believe this provision is being violated can explore options such as filing a complaint with the City of Ithaca's code enforcement office or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general 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.
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