North Collins, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 103 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 103-13
Public space
Operative Text
A. Height. Public space shall have a minimum height of seven feet six inches measured from finished floor to finished ceiling. B. Light and ventilation. (1) Public spaces shall be provided with artificial light. (2) In public stairs, stairways and passageways, artificial light shall be electric lighting available at all times so as to afford safe passage for occupants and users. Such lighting shall conform to the following: (a) A sufficient number of fixtures shall be provided so that the distance between fixtures is not more than 30 feet and so that no wall is more than 15 feet distant from a fixture. (b) Incandescent lighting shall be based on not less than one-fourth (1/4) watt per square feet of floor area, except that each fixture shall have a lamp or lamps with a total of not less than 25 watts. (c) Fluorescent lighting shall be based on not less than one-tenth (1/10) watt per square foot of floor area, except that each fixture shall have a lamp or lamps of a total of not less than 15 watts. (d) Where under these formulas the calculated wattage does not correspond to that of a standard lamp, the next larger size shall be used. (3) Public spaces shall be provided with either natural ventilation, conforming to the requirements for habitable space, or with mechanical ventilation.
Section 103-13 of the North Collins Code of Ordinances establishes minimum physical standards for public spaces in buildings, covering ceiling height, lighting, and ventilation. Public spaces must have ceilings at least seven feet six inches high, must be artificially lit, and must receive either natural or mechanical ventilation. Stairways, passageways, and public stairs face additional specific requirements for electric lighting, including rules about fixture spacing, wattage minimums for incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, and the requirement that lighting be available at all times for safe passage.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 103-13, compliant building operators generally ensure that all public spaces meet the seven-foot-six-inch minimum ceiling height and are equipped with functioning artificial lighting. For stairways and passageways, operators typically verify that electric fixtures are spaced no more than 30 feet apart, that no wall is more than 15 feet from a fixture, and that wattage meets the minimums specified for incandescent or fluorescent lamps. Ventilation in public spaces is also addressed by § 103-13, so operators generally confirm that either natural ventilation meeting habitable-space standards or a mechanical ventilation system is in place.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 103-13 establishes baseline standards for the public spaces—hallways, stairways, and passageways—that tenants use daily, including minimum ceiling heights, lighting availability, and ventilation requirements. If a public area in a building appears to fall short of these standards, such as inadequate lighting in a stairwell or insufficient ceiling clearance, tenants may have grounds to raise the issue with local code enforcement authorities in North Collins. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how § 103-13 applies to their building and what complaint or enforcement options may be available.
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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