Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-9
Prohibited uses
Operative Text
It shall be prohibited: A. To use for sleeping purposes any kitchen, nonhabitable space or public space. B. In lodging houses, to use for dining purposes any communal kitchen containing less than 100 square feet of floor area or any nonhabitable space or public space other than dining space. C. To prepare or eat meals in lodging units. D. To use any cellar space as habitable space.
Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-9 establishes a set of prohibited uses for certain spaces within residential and lodging properties. Kitchens, nonhabitable spaces, and public spaces may not be used for sleeping, and cellar spaces may not be treated as habitable areas. In lodging houses specifically, communal kitchens under 100 square feet and nonhabitable or public spaces (other than designated dining areas) cannot be used for dining, and individual lodging units may not be used for preparing or eating meals.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential and lodging properties in Ithaca should ensure that their units and common areas comply with the use restrictions set out in ch. 210 § 210-9. Compliant operators generally designate spaces according to their permitted uses — keeping sleeping areas in habitable rooms, ensuring any communal dining in lodging houses occurs only in qualifying spaces of at least 100 square feet, and confirming that no cellar space is offered or marketed as habitable. Routine inspections of how tenants and guests are actually using spaces can help identify potential violations before they become enforcement matters.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-9, tenants have an interest in knowing that certain spaces — such as cellars, kitchens, and nonhabitable areas — are legally off-limits for sleeping or other habitable uses. If a landlord is renting or assigning such a space as a sleeping or living area, that arrangement may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who believe their housing arrangement conflicts with § 210-9 may consider contacting the City of Ithaca's code enforcement office, reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, or raising the violation as a defense in relevant housing proceedings.
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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