New Hyde Park, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 139 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 139-17
Utility meters in residential premises
Operative Text
A. Unless and except as may be otherwise authorized pursuant to the provisions of Subsection D of this section, all properties located in the Residence Districts (R Zones) of the Village, as the latter are classified under Chapter 195 of the Village Code and shown on the current Official Zoning and Planning Map of the Village referenced and provided for in said chapter, shall be subject to and shall comply fully with all other provisions of this section. B. Number of meters. (1) Except as provided elsewhere in this subsection, each parcel of property improved by a building either designed and intended or actually so used for occupancy as a residential dwelling may have up to, but shall have no more than, one water meter, one gas meter and one electric meter located, installed, used or maintained anywhere in such building or upon such parcel, whether or not the same are currently activated or connected to any utility line(s) actually servicing any part of the premises. (2) Where such parcel of property is improved by a building certified by and registered with the Village Building Department either as a legal conforming or legal nonconforming two-family dwelling, it may have up to, but shall have no more than, two water meters, two gas meters and two electric meters, one of each per dwelling unit, located, installed, used or maintained anywhere in such building or upon such parcel, whether or not the same are currently activated or connected to any utility line(s) actually servicing any part of the premises. (3) Where such parcel of property is improved by a building certified by and registered with the Village Building Department either as a legal conforming or legal nonconforming multiple dwelling, it may have up to, but shall have no more than, one water meter, one gas meter and one electric meter per dwelling unit, plus up to one additional meter of each type for service to all common areas, located, installed, used or maintained anywhere in such building or upon such parcel, whether or not the same are currently activated or connected to any utility line(s) actually servicing any part of the premises. C. Nonconforming meters. Any water, gas or electric meter in existence upon the effective date of this section and not in compliance with the conditions and limitations imposed by the provisions of this section is hereby declared to be and shall be deemed a nonconforming meter; and every such nonconforming meter shall be completely removed from the parcel and its premises in which it is situated, and every such parcel and its premises shall be made to fully conform with the provisions of this section, on or before the expiration of five years from the aforesaid date. D. Permits; additional meters. (1) No person and no utility company, whether public or private, shall install any new or additional water, gas or electric meter, or remove, replace or relocate any such existing meter, anywhere in or upon the buildings or premises of any parcel of property which is subject to the provisions of this section, unless the Superintendent of Buildings of the Village shall have approved and issued a permit for such work. Upon completion of such work, the owner of such parcel shall be required to obtain a certificate of compliance with this section from the Superintendent of Buildings. (2) Upon written application by the owner(s) of any parcel of property which is subject to the provisions of this section, the Board of Trustees may, in its sole discretion and by favorable vote of a majority of the members of such Board, grant written consent and approval to the Superintendent of Buildings to permit such owner(s) to locate, install, maintain or use a greater specified number of utility meters in or upon the affected parcel than is otherwise currently allowed under the provisions of this section. Such consent and approval may be granted only after a showing by the owner(s), upon clear and convincing evidence satisfactory to such Board, that there is a critical and compelling health, safety or other similar need for such additional meters and that no viable and acceptable practical alternative is currently available. In the event that the Board shall determine to grant such relief, it may impose as a condition thereof any limitations or requirements which it deems necessary and appropriate to safeguard the legal character and ensure the continued lawful use and occupancy of the affected premises in keeping with the general purposes of this chapter and the specific regulatory objectives of this section.
New Hyde Park Code ch. 139 § 139-17 sets strict limits on how many utility meters—water, gas, and electric—may be present on residential properties in the village's R Zones. Single-family homes are capped at one meter of each type, two-family dwellings certified with the Village Building Department may have two of each, and legal multiple dwellings may have one per unit plus one additional meter per type for common areas. Any meter that did not conform to these limits when the section took effect was classified as a nonconforming meter and was required to be removed within five years. Installing, removing, replacing, or relocating any meter requires a permit from the Superintendent of Buildings, and the Board of Trustees holds authority to grant exceptions only upon a showing of critical health or safety need.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under New Hyde Park Code ch. 139 § 139-17, compliant property owners in R Zones ensure that the number of utility meters on their parcels does not exceed the caps tied to the building's certified classification—one set for single-family homes, two sets for registered two-family dwellings, and one set per unit plus one for common areas in registered multiple dwellings. Before installing, relocating, or replacing any meter, operators obtain the required permit from the Superintendent of Buildings and secure a certificate of compliance upon completion of the work. Owners who believe a greater number of meters is genuinely necessary may submit a written application to the Board of Trustees under § 139-17(D)(2), demonstrating a critical and compelling health or safety need with clear and convincing evidence.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 139-17 of the New Hyde Park Code of Ordinances limits the number of utility meters permitted on residential parcels in R Zones, which can affect how utilities are metered and billed within a building. Tenants who observe what appears to be an unpermitted or excess meter—or who have concerns that utility arrangements in their building may not conform to the certified dwelling classification—may raise this as a potential code compliance issue with the Village Building Department. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New York municipal code can help residents understand how § 139-17 interacts with their lease terms and utility obligations, and what avenues exist for raising a concern formally.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
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