Mount Vernon, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-67
Requirements for certain apartment buildings
Operative Text
A. Every entrance from the street, roof, passageway, court, yard, cellar or other entrance to a multiple dwelling containing six or more apartments or dwelling units erected or converted after November 1, 1994, shall be equipped with automatic self-closing and self-locking doors. Such doors shall be locked at all times, except when an attendant shall actually be on duty. Every such multiple dwelling shall also be equipped with bells or buzzers located at the door giving access to the main entrance hall or lobby of said multiple dwelling for the purpose of alerting the occupants of each apartment or dwelling unit to the presence of a person seeking entry. Every such multiple dwelling containing six or more apartments or dwelling units shall also be equipped with an automatic release mechanism to permit an apartment or dwelling unit occupant to release the locking mechanism of the door giving access to the main entrance hall or lobby of said multiple dwelling from his apartment or dwelling unit. B. Every such dwelling erected or converted after November 1, 1994, containing six or more apartments or dwelling units shall also be equipped with an intercommunication system. Such intercommunication system shall be located at the door giving access to the main entrance hall or lobby of said multiple dwelling and shall consist of a device or devices for voice communication between the occupant of each apartment or dwelling unit and a person outside said door to the main entrance hall or lobby and to permit such apartment or dwelling unit occupant to release the locking mechanism of said door from the apartment or dwelling unit. C. On or after May 1, 1995, every multiple dwelling containing six or more apartments or dwelling units erected or converted prior to November 1, 1994, shall be equipped with: (1) Automatic self-closing and self-locking doors, which doors shall be kept locked, except when an attendant shall actually be on duty. (2) Bells or buzzers, located at the door giving access to the main entrance hall or lobby of said multiple dwelling, for the purpose of alerting the occupants of each apartment or dwelling unit to the presence of a person seeking entry. (3) An automatic release mechanism to permit an apartment or dwelling unit occupant to release the locking mechanism of the door giving access to the main entrance hall or lobby of said multiple dwelling from his apartment or dwelling unit. (4) Provided that the tenants occupying a majority of all the apartments or dwelling units within the structure comprising the multiple dwelling affected shall request or consent in writing thereto, the installation of an intercommunication system described in Subsection B of this section, such installation to be started within 90 days and completed within six months after the owner's receipt of such request or consent. D. All doors, locks, bells, buzzers, automatic release mechanisms and intercommunication systems in existence prior to the enactment of this article or subsequently installed shall be kept in good working order. E. Every owner, general agent or agent who shall fail to comply with or who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 or by imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Mount Vernon Code ch. 149 § 149-67 establishes security requirements for multiple dwellings with six or more apartments. Buildings constructed or converted after November 1, 1994, must have self-closing, self-locking entrance doors, bells or buzzers at the main lobby entrance, an automatic door-release mechanism operable from each unit, and a full intercommunication system. Buildings that predate November 1, 1994, were required to meet the same standards by May 1, 1995, with the intercommunication system added only if a majority of tenants requested or consented to it in writing. All installed equipment must be maintained in good working order at all times.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mount Vernon Code ch. 149 § 149-67, compliant building operators ensure that all entrance doors are equipped with functioning self-closing and self-locking hardware, that bells or buzzers are operational at the main lobby entrance, and that each unit has a working remote-release mechanism. For buildings predating November 1, 1994, operators also track whether a written majority-tenant request for an intercommunication system has been received, and if so, begin installation within 90 days and complete it within six months. Routine inspection and prompt repair of all doors, locks, buzzers, release mechanisms, and intercom systems are standard practices for maintaining compliance, since the ordinance explicitly requires all such equipment to remain in good working order.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 149-67 of the Mount Vernon Code gives residents of qualifying six-or-more-unit buildings the right to functional lobby security features, including self-locking entrance doors, a buzzer or bell system, a remote door-release mechanism, and—in pre-1994 buildings—the ability to collectively request an intercommunication system by written majority consent. If any of these systems are broken or absent, tenants may document the condition and report it to the appropriate Mount Vernon municipal enforcement authority. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with local housing codes can help residents understand available options, including whether a violation can be raised in a housing proceeding or addressed through a formal complaint.
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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