Oneida, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 77 § 77-90
Light and ventilation for habitable space
Operative Text
A. 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 required for each room shall be equivalent to that transmitted through clear glass equal in area to 10% of the floor area of the habitable space. B. Habitable space shall be provided with electric light. C. 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. D. Habitable space also may be provided with mechanical ventilation in addition to natural ventilation.
Under Oneida, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 77 § 77-90, every habitable room must receive natural light through windows, skylights, or similar transparent openings that face legal open spaces or a roof, with the total glazed area equal to at least 10% of the room's floor area. Electric lighting is also required in all habitable spaces. Natural ventilation must be provided through openable windows, skylights, or exterior wall openings totaling at least 5% of the floor area, though mechanical ventilation may supplement—but not replace—this natural ventilation requirement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Oneida, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 77 § 77-90 generally ensure that each habitable room has qualifying windows or skylights whose glazed area meets the 10% floor-area threshold and that those openings face legal open spaces or a rooftop. Compliant operators also verify that functional electric lighting is installed and that openable portions of windows or other exterior openings provide a clear ventilation area of at least 5% of each room's floor area. Routine inspections of glazing, hardware, and mechanical ventilation systems—where installed as a supplement—help operators maintain ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 77-90 of Oneida's housing code gives occupants of habitable spaces the right to adequate natural light, electric lighting, and natural ventilation meeting specific area minimums. If a room lacks sufficient windows, working openable vents, or electric light as described in ch. 77 § 77-90, tenants may document the conditions and report them to the local code enforcement or housing inspection office. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how a landlord's failure to meet these standards might be raised as a housing code violation or used in other available enforcement proceedings.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation