Oswego, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 149 § 149-27
Heating
Operative Text
A. General requirements. (1) Residential buildings intended for occupancy between the first day of October and the first day of May of the following year shall be provided with heating equipment designed to maintain a temperature of not less than 70º F. at a distance of three feet and more from exterior walls and at a level of five feet above the floor in habitable spaces, kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms. The capability of the heating equipment to maintain such indoor temperature shall be based on the average of the recorded annual minimum outside temperatures for the locality. (2) In multiple residences, adequate heat shall be provided to maintain the indoor temperature in habitable spaces, kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms, at 70º F. from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. when the outside temperature falls below 55º F. B. Smoke control. Fuel-burning heat-producing equipment shall be installed and maintained so that the emission or discharge into the atmosphere of smoke, dust, particles, odors or other products of combustion will not create a nuisance or be detrimental to the health, comfort, safety or property of any person. C. Warm air heating. Ducts and other air-handling equipment used for heating shall conform to the requirements of such equipment used for ventilating purposes. D. Prohibited locations for heat-producing equipment. Fuel-burning water heaters shall not be located in sleeping rooms, bathrooms or toilet rooms. E. Fuel supply connection. Fuel-burning equipment shall be permanently fastened and connected in place. Fuel supply connection to such equipment shall be made with pipe or tubing of solid metal. F. Installation and clearance. Where heat-producing equipment is installed on or adjacent to combustible materials, the location, insulation, clearance and the control of the equipment shall be such that the temperature on the surface of the combustible materials will not exceed a safe temperature. G. Air supply. (1) Direct-fired heat-producing equipment and the enclosure in which it is located shall be provided with a supply of air adequate both for complete combustion at the rated gross output of the equipment and for the ventilation of the enclosure to prevent the accumulation of heat. (2) Rooms containing fuel-burning equipment shall have such air supply provided by means of one or more openings to the exterior or by means of fixed openings to interior spaces which open to the exterior. H. Removal of products of combustion. (1) Equipment for burning solid or liquid fuel shall be connected to suitable chimneys or flues and shall not be connected to gas vents. Unvented heaters burning liquid fuel shall be prohibited. (2) Fuel-burning space heaters located in sleeping rooms or rooms normally kept closed shall be connected to a suitable chimney, flue or gas vent. (3) Gas-fired equipment shall be connected to a suitable chimney, flue or gas vent when the discharge of products of combustion into the space where the equipment is installed would be a hazard. I. Safety devices. (1) Equipment capable of developing hazardous pressures or temperatures shall be provided with means to relieve safely such pressures and temperatures. (2) Controls for the safe operation of automatically operated heat-producing equipment shall be provided to function as follows: (a) When failure or interruption of flames or ignition occurs, the fuel supply shall be cut off. (b) When a predetermined temperature or pressure is exceeded, the input of additional heat shall be prevented or reduced to a safe rate. (c) When the water level in a steam boiler drops below a predetermined level, the fuel supply shall be cut off. (d) When failure or interruption of pilot light or main burner of liquefied petroleum gas equipment occurs, the fuel supply to each pilot light and main burner shall be cut off. J. Heating of garages. Fuel-burning equipment for garages servicing multiple residences shall be located in heater rooms, except that equipment burning gas or liquid fuel, located in the vehicle storage space, shall be permitted in stories at or above grade where elevated so as not to be exposed to possible accumulation of flammable gases.
Section 149-27 of Oswego's Code of Ordinances establishes comprehensive heating standards for residential buildings. From October 1 through May 1, heating systems must be capable of maintaining at least 70°F in habitable spaces, kitchenettes, bathrooms, and toilet rooms, measured at specific distances from walls and floors. In multi-unit residences, that 70°F threshold must actively be maintained between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. whenever outdoor temperatures drop below 55°F. The ordinance also governs equipment installation, fuel connections, combustion air supply, venting of combustion byproducts, safety controls, and garage heating arrangements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential rental properties in Oswego are generally expected to ensure that heating equipment meets the design and performance standards set out in § 149-27, including the ability to reach 70°F under local minimum temperature conditions. In multiple-residence buildings, compliant operators typically monitor outdoor temperatures and confirm that interior spaces reach 70°F during the required hours of 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Beyond temperature delivery, § 149-27 requires attention to fuel connections made of solid metal pipe or tubing, proper venting of combustion products, adequate combustion air supply, safety relief devices, and correct placement of fuel-burning equipment away from sleeping rooms and bathrooms. Routine inspection and maintenance of all heating system components is consistent with meeting the ordinance's installation and clearance requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Oswego residential buildings have a right to adequate heat under § 149-27, including a minimum indoor temperature of 70°F in living spaces, kitchenettes, and bathrooms during the heating season and during specified hours in multi-unit buildings. If a landlord fails to provide heat meeting these standards, tenants may consider documenting temperature readings with dates and times as a record of the deficiency. General enforcement paths can include filing a complaint with the City of Oswego's code enforcement office, raising the violation as a defense in relevant housing proceedings, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options under § 149-27.
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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