North Collins, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 103 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 103-7
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: ACCESSORY STRUCTURE A structure, the use of which is incidental to that of the residential building, and which is located on the same premises. ACCESSORY USE A use, occupancy or tenancy customarily incidental to the principal use or occupancy of a residential building. Such "accessory uses" may include, among others, the following: A. Offices of the building management. B. Dining rooms, banquet rooms, public kitchens and ballrooms. C. Recreation and play rooms. D. Laundries for the use of tenants and occupants and in connection with the management and operation of a residential building. E. Rooms or space for the incidental sale or display of merchandise to occupants, such as newspaper, candy and cigar stands. F. Maintenance and work shops. Storerooms for linen, bedding, furniture, supplies and tenants' equipment and effects. G. Garages within a residential building or on the premises thereof used primarily for the storage of passenger-type motor vehicles. APPROVED Approved by the Village Board under the regulations of this chapter. BASEMENT That space of a building that is partly below grade which has more than half its height, measured from the floor to ceiling, above the average curb level or finished grade of the ground adjoining the building. BATHROOM Enclosed space containing one or more bathtubs or showers, or both, and may also contain water closets, lavatories or fixtures serving similar purposes. (See definition of "toilet room.") BUILDING A structure wholly enclosed within exterior walls and a roof, affording shelter to persons, animals or property. CELLAR That space of a building that is partly or entirely below grade, which has more than half of its height, measured from floor to ceiling, below the average established curb level or finished grade of the ground adjoining the building. DWELLING, ONE-FAMILY A building containing not more than one dwelling unit occupied exclusively for residential purposes and not smaller than 750 square feet. DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY A building containing not more than two dwelling units occupied exclusively for residential purposes. DWELLING UNIT One or more rooms with provisions for living, cooking, sanitary and sleeping facilities arranged for the use of one family. EXIT A way of departure from the interior of a building or structure, at the exterior at the street or grade, including doorways, ramps, fire escapes and all other elements necessary for egress or escape. FAMILY A household constituting a single housekeeping unit occupied by one or more persons. GENERALLY ACCEPTED STANDARD A specification, code, rule, guide or procedure in the field of construction or related thereto, recognized and accepted as authoritative, and in conformity with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and such other codes adopted by the Village of North Collins. GRADE, FINISHED Natural surface of the ground or surface of the ground after completion of any change in contour, abutting building or premises. HABITABLE SPACE Space occupied by one or more persons for living, sleeping, eating or cooking. Kitchenettes shall not be deemed to be "habitable space." (See definitions of "noninhabitable space," "public space" and "exit.") INFESTATION The presence, within or contiguous to a dwelling, dwelling unit, lodging house, lodging unit or premises, of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests. KITCHEN Space, 60 square feet or more in floor area, with a minimum width of five feet, used for cooking or preparation of food. KITCHENETTE Space, less than 60 square feet in floor area, used for cooking or preparation of food. LODGING HOUSE A multiple dwelling used primarily for the purpose of furnishing lodging, with or without meals, for compensation. LODGING UNIT A room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit, used or intended to be used for lodging. MIXED OCCUPANCY Occupancy of a building in part for residential use and in part for some other use not accessory thereto. MULTIPLE DWELLING A. Building containing three or more dwelling units. B. Building containing living, sanitary and sleeping facilities occupied by one or two families and more than four lodgers residing with either one of such families. C. Building with one or more sleeping rooms, other than a one- or two-family dwelling, used or occupied by permanent or transient paying guests or tenants. D. Building with sleeping accommodations for more than five persons used or occupied as a club, dormitory, fraternity or sorority house or for similar uses. E. Building used or occupied as a convalescent, old-age, nursing or boarding home not including private or public hospitals or public institutions. (See § 103-4 for certain multiple dwellings not within the scope of this chapter.) MULTIPLE RESIDENCE See "multiple dwelling." MUNICIPALITY The Village of North Collins. NONINHABITABLE SPACE Space used as kitchenettes; pantries, bath, toilet, laundry, rest, dressing, locker, storage, utility, heater and boiler rooms; closets; and other spaces for service and maintenance of the building and those spaces used for access and vertical travel between stories. (See definitions of "habitable space," "public space" and "exit.") OCCUPANT Any person living, sleeping, cooking or eating in or having actual possession of a dwelling unit or rooming unit. OPERATOR Any person who has charge, care or control of a multiple residence or rooming house, in which dwelling units or rooming units are let or offered for occupancy. OWNER Owner or owners of record of the freehold of the premises or lesser estate therein, a mortgagee or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, receiver, executor, trustee, lessee or other person, firm or corporation in control of a building. PLUMBING SYSTEM The water supply system, the drainage system, the vent system, fixtures and traps, including their respective connections, devices and appurtenances within the property lines of the premises. POTABLE WATER Water which is approved for drinking, culinary and domestic purposes. PUBLIC SPACE Space within a residential building for public use, such as lobbies, lounges and reception, ball, meeting, lecture and recreation rooms, banquet and dining rooms and their kitchens and swimming pools. SEWAGE Liquid waste containing animal or vegetable matter in suspension or solution and which may include industrial wastes and liquids containing chemicals. STRUCTURE An assembly of materials forming a construction framed of component parts for occupancy or use, including buildings. TOILET ROOM Enclosed space containing one or more water closets, which may also contain one or more lavatories, urinals and other plumbing fixtures. (See definition of "bathroom.") VENTILATION Supply and removal of air to and from a space by natural or mechanical means. VENTILATION, MECHANICAL Ventilation by power-driven devices. VENTILATION, NATURAL Ventilation by opening to outer air through windows, skylights, doors, louvers or stacks with or without wind-driven devices.
Section 103-7 of North Collins, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 103 establishes the official vocabulary used throughout the village's residential building and housing code. Each defined term — from "accessory structure" and "dwelling unit" to "multiple dwelling" and "habitable space" — carries a specific legal meaning that governs how the rest of the chapter is interpreted and applied. These definitions set the boundaries of what qualifies as a kitchen versus a kitchenette, a basement versus a cellar, and a family versus an occupancy, among many other distinctions. Understanding these terms is foundational to reading any other provision in ch. 103 correctly.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under North Collins, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 103 § 103-7 generally ensure that their buildings, units, and spaces are described and classified using the definitions provided in this section. A compliant operator, for example, distinguishes between habitable and noninhabitable space when assessing occupancy standards, and correctly identifies whether a building qualifies as a one-family dwelling, two-family dwelling, or multiple dwelling, since different obligations attach to each category. Operators also pay close attention to the definition of "owner" and "operator," as both roles carry distinct responsibilities under the chapter, and misclassifying a space — such as treating a cellar as a basement — can affect compliance with other provisions.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in North Collins can look to § 103-7 of ch. 103 to understand the precise meaning of terms that affect their housing rights, such as what counts as a "dwelling unit," "habitable space," or "infestation." Because these definitions shape how violations are identified and addressed throughout the chapter, a tenant who believes their unit or building is being misclassified — for instance, a space being treated as noninhabitable when it functions as living space — may have grounds to raise that concern with the Village Board or another appropriate local authority. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New York housing law can help residents understand how these definitions interact with broader state standards, including the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code referenced in § 103-7 itself.
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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