N.Y.C. Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 2 § 27-2034
Space and water heaters (New York City Housing Maintenance Code)
Operative Text
a. Any gas-fueled space or water heater used in any dwelling unit, in addition to the provisions of section 27-2032 of article eight of this subchapter, shall comply with the provisions of this section and with the regulations of the department. b. No person shall install or maintain in any dwelling unit a gas fuel-fired space or water heater unless the heater obtains combustion air directly from the outside of the building. In the alternative, a gas fuel-fired water heater that does not obtain its combustion air directly from the outside of the building may be installed, provided that such installation is in compliance with the conditions of subdivision i of section P107.26 of reference standard RS-16 of the building code. c. No person shall install or maintain a gas-fueled water heater in a room occupied for sleeping purposes, or cause or permit to be occupied for sleeping purposes any room in which a gas-fueled heater is installed. d. No person shall install or maintain in any dwelling unit a gas-fueled water heater so designed and arranged that it heats water in pipe coils placed at a distance from the hot water storage tank. e. Every gas fuel-fired space or water heater shall be (i) currently listed by an independent laboratory acceptable to the commissioner of buildings, (ii) approved by the department of buildings and (iii) approved by the department of health and mental hygiene. All accessories or control devices for use with such heaters shall have proof of such listing. f. Each heater shall be equipped with an effective device which will automatically shut off the gas supply to the heater if its pilot light or other constantly burning flame is extinguished, or in the event of an interruption of the gas supply to the heater, and will not permit the heater to be relighted unless such shut-off device is first reset manually. g. Each heater shall be rigidly connected to the gas piping supplying gas in the premises. h. Each heater shall be connected to a flue or outlet pipe conforming to the provisions of the building code. No heater shall be vented to an inner court. A flue or outlet pipe may be extended to an inner court if the flue or pipe is connected with an outside chimney which conforms with the provisions of the building code.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2034 establish safety requirements for gas-fueled space and water heaters installed in dwelling units. The rule prohibits placing such heaters in sleeping rooms, requires that they draw combustion air from outside the building (or meet a specific code alternative), and mandates automatic gas shut-off devices, rigid gas-line connections, and proper venting to approved flues. Heaters must also carry current listings from an independent laboratory and receive approval from both the Department of Buildings and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2034, compliant property operators ensure that every gas-fueled space or water heater in a dwelling unit draws combustion air directly from outside the building or meets the specific alternative standard set out in the building code. Operators verify that each heater is listed by an approved independent laboratory, carries dual agency approval, is rigidly connected to gas piping, is equipped with an automatic gas shut-off device, and is vented to a proper flue—never to an inner court. Heaters are not installed or permitted in any room used for sleeping purposes, and all accessories and control devices carry proof of the required listing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y.C. Admin. Code §§ 27-2001 and 27-2034 give tenants the right to live in dwelling units where gas-fueled space and water heaters meet strict safety standards, including proper venting, automatic shut-off mechanisms, and a prohibition on heaters in sleeping rooms. If a tenant believes a heater in their unit does not comply—for example, if it lacks a proper flue connection or is located in a bedroom—they may consider filing a complaint with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development or raising the violation through other available housing enforcement channels. Tenant-rights organizations can provide general information about how these protections apply and what options exist for addressing non-compliant conditions.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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