North Collins, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 103 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 103-12
Habitable space
Operative Text
A. Size. (1) Habitable space shall have a minimum ceiling height of seven feet six inches over 50% of the floor area; space where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered in computing floor area. (2) A dwelling unit shall contain at least one habitable room having a minimum of 150 square feet of floor area and a minimum horizontal dimension of 10 feet. (3) Every alcove less than 60 square feet in area, except a cooking space or foyer, shall be deemed to be part of a habitable room. The area of the opening in the dividing partition between the alcove and the room shall be at least 80% of the wall area of such partition, measured on the alcove side, but not less than 40 square feet. The depth of such alcove shall not exceed half its width. The floor area of the alcove shall be added to the floor area of the room in determining light and ventilation requirements for the room. An alcove with an area of 60 square feet or more, but less than the required area of a habitable room, shall be separately lighted and ventilated as required for habitable space. B. Basements. Basements shall not be deemed habitable space where required windows are located only on one wall and the depth of the basement exceeds four times its clear height. C. Light and ventilation. (1) Habitable space shall be provided with natural light through one or more windows, skylights, transparent or translucent panels or any combinations thereof that face directly on legal open spaces at least six inches above the adjoining finished grade or are above a roof. The amount of light shall be equivalent to that transmitted through clear glass equal in area to 10% of the floor area of the habitable space. (2) Habitable space shall be provided with artificial light. (3) Habitable space shall be provided with natural ventilation through openable parts of windows or other openings in exterior walls that face legal open spaces above the adjoining finished grade or above a roof or through openable parts of skylights, providing total clear ventilation area equal to not less than 5% of the total floor area of each habitable space. (4) Habitable space may also be provided with mechanical ventilation, in addition to natural ventilation. D. Miscellaneous requirements. (1) Dwelling units shall be separated from each other and from other spaces outside the dwelling unit. (2) Sleeping rooms within dwelling units shall be separated from each other and from other spaces outside the sleeping rooms to provide privacy. (3) Lodging units shall be separated from each other and from other spaces outside the lodging units. (4) A communal kitchen or dining room in a lodging house shall be accessible to the occupants sharing such kitchen or dining room without going through a dwelling unit or lodging unit of another occupant.
Section 103-12 of North Collins, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 103 establishes minimum physical standards for spaces classified as "habitable" in residential buildings. These standards cover ceiling height (at least 7 feet 6 inches over half the floor area), minimum room size (at least 150 square feet with a 10-foot horizontal dimension for the primary room), natural and artificial light, natural and mechanical ventilation, and the treatment of alcoves and basements. The provision also requires that dwelling units, sleeping rooms, and lodging units be physically separated from one another to ensure privacy, and that shared kitchen or dining facilities in lodging houses remain accessible without passing through another occupant's private unit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in North Collins should ensure that every space they designate as habitable meets the dimensional, lighting, and ventilation thresholds set out in § 103-12. Compliant operators typically verify ceiling heights, confirm that at least one room meets the 150-square-foot and 10-foot-dimension minimums, and ensure that windows or skylights provide natural light equivalent to 10% of floor area and ventilation openings equal to at least 5% of floor area. Landlords managing lodging houses pay particular attention to the separation requirements for individual units and the accessibility rules for communal kitchens and dining rooms under § 103-12(D).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in North Collins have a right to occupy dwelling units that meet the habitability standards described in § 103-12, including adequate ceiling height, room size, natural light, and ventilation. If a rented space appears to fall short of these requirements—for example, a basement unit with insufficient ceiling clearance or a room lacking proper windows—tenants may raise the violation as a defense in relevant proceedings or file a complaint with the appropriate local code enforcement authority. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with North Collins, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 103 can help residents understand what documentation and steps are generally available when habitability concerns arise.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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