Oyster Bay, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 135 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 135-10
Habitable space
Operative Text
A. Habitable space shall have a minimum ceiling height of seven feet six inches over 50% of the floor area, and the floor area where the ceiling height is less than six feet shall not be considered in computing floor area. B. Kitchens shall have a minimum of 60 square feet of floor area, and other habitable spaces shall contain not less than 80 square feet of floor area and shall have a minimum horizontal dimension of seven feet.
Oyster Bay, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 135 § 135-10 establishes minimum physical standards for habitable spaces in residential units. Ceilings must reach at least seven feet six inches over at least half of a room's floor area, and any portion of the floor where the ceiling drops below six feet is excluded from the room's measured area. Kitchens must contain at least 60 square feet of usable floor area, while all other habitable rooms must be at least 80 square feet and span no less than seven feet in their shortest horizontal direction.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 135 § 135-10, compliant operators ensure that every habitable room in a rental unit meets the prescribed ceiling-height and floor-area minimums before the unit is offered for occupancy. When calculating whether a room qualifies as habitable, property managers measure only the floor area beneath ceilings of six feet or higher, and they verify that kitchens reach 60 square feet and other rooms reach 80 square feet with a seven-foot minimum width. Keeping documentation of these measurements—such as floor plans or inspection records—is a common practice among operators who want to demonstrate ongoing compliance with § 135-10.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 135-10 of the Oyster Bay Code of Ordinances gives tenants a basis to question whether a unit they occupy or are considering meets legally required minimums for ceiling height, room size, and kitchen area. If a room appears too small or has ceilings that fall short of the standards described in § 135-10, tenants may raise this as a potential housing-code violation with the appropriate local code-enforcement or building department. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how these standards apply and what complaint or defense options may be available under local law.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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