Mount Vernon, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-12
Prohibited uses
Operative Text
A. The use of any kitchen, nonhabitable space or public space for sleeping purposes is prohibited. B. The use of any communal kitchen containing less than 100 square feet of floor area, or any nonhabitable space or public space other than dining space, for dining purposes in rooming houses is prohibited. C. The preparation or consumption of meals in rooming houses is prohibited. D. The use of any cellar space as a habitable space is prohibited.
Mount Vernon Code ch. 149 § 149-12 establishes several prohibited uses within rooming houses and residential spaces. Kitchens, non-habitable areas, and public spaces may not be used for sleeping. In rooming houses, dining is restricted to designated dining spaces, communal kitchens must meet a minimum 100-square-foot threshold to be used for dining, and the preparation or consumption of meals is otherwise prohibited. Cellar space may not be used as habitable space under any circumstances.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming houses in Mount Vernon must structure their properties to comply with the use restrictions outlined in ch. 149 § 149-12. Compliant operators ensure that sleeping occurs only in designated habitable rooms, that no cellar space is converted or marketed as living quarters, and that meal preparation and consumption do not take place in prohibited areas. Communal kitchens used for dining should be verified to meet the 100-square-foot minimum floor area requirement before being made available to residents.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of rooming houses in Mount Vernon are protected by the use restrictions in ch. 149 § 149-12, which limit how landlords may configure and designate spaces within the property. If a landlord is directing or allowing sleeping in kitchens, public spaces, or non-habitable areas, or is permitting cellar space to be used as living quarters, these conditions may constitute code violations. Tenants who believe these standards are not being met may consider contacting the Mount Vernon building or housing department, 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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