Oswego, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-13
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 1/4 watt per square foot 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 1/10 watt per square foot of floor area, except that 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. (e) Public spaces shall be provided with either natural ventilation, conforming to the requirements for habitable space, or with mechanical ventilation.
Section 149-13 of Oswego's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 149, establishes minimum physical standards for public spaces in residential buildings. Ceilings in these areas must be at least seven feet, six inches high, and all public spaces must have artificial lighting, with stairways and passageways requiring electric lighting available at all times. Lighting fixtures must be spaced no more than 30 feet apart, meet specific wattage minimums depending on bulb type, and public spaces must also have either natural or mechanical ventilation meeting the code's requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of properties subject to § 149-13 of Oswego Code ch. 149 generally ensure that all public spaces—including hallways, stairways, and passageways—maintain a finished ceiling height of at least seven feet, six inches. Compliant operators install and maintain electric lighting that meets the fixture-spacing and wattage standards set out in the provision, keeping it available at all times in stairways and passageways. They also verify that ventilation in public spaces is provided through either natural means consistent with habitable-space requirements or through a functioning mechanical ventilation system.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 149-13 of Oswego Code ch. 149, tenants in buildings with public spaces such as hallways and stairwells are entitled to adequately lit, properly ventilated common areas with sufficient ceiling height. If lighting is out, fixtures are too far apart, ceilings appear below the required height, or ventilation is inadequate, these conditions may constitute code violations that can be reported to the City of Oswego's code enforcement office. Tenants may also consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand what documentation to gather and what remedies may be available under local housing code.
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.
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