Patchogue, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 238 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 238-14
Exits
Operative Text
Safe, continuous and unobstructed exits shall be provided from the interior of the building to the exterior at street or grade level. Exits shall be arranged, constructed and proportioned in conformity with a generally accepted standard and in such manner that occupants may escape from said building in case of emergency. In one- and two-family dwellings, in addition to a primary exit from the building, there shall be provided a secondary exit or, in lieu thereof, one or more exit openings for emergency use no higher than three feet six inches. Where any windowsill is at a height of more than 14 feet above grade, exterior stairs must be provided to the dwelling unit or rooming unit in which such window is located. All exits in rooming houses and boarding houses must be marked and must be equipped with operating panic bars. The area leading to and from all exits must have a pathway of at least three feet maintained for safe and unobstructed access to said exit.
Section 238-14 of Patchogue's Code of Ordinances requires that all buildings maintain safe, clear, and unobstructed pathways from the interior to the exterior at street or grade level. One- and two-family dwellings must have both a primary exit and a secondary exit or emergency opening no higher than three feet six inches from the floor. Rooming houses and boarding houses face additional requirements, including marked exits with functioning panic bars, and any window sill more than 14 feet above grade triggers a requirement for exterior stairs serving that unit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Patchogue must ensure compliance with § 238-14 by maintaining all exit pathways at a minimum clear width of three feet and keeping them free of obstructions at all times. Owners of one- and two-family dwellings should verify that a qualifying secondary exit or emergency opening is present and meets the height specification, while rooming house and boarding house operators must confirm that exit signage and panic hardware are installed and in working order. Where any window sill exceeds 14 feet above grade, exterior stair access to the affected unit is required under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 238-14 entitles occupants of Patchogue residential buildings to safe, unobstructed exit access, including secondary emergency exits in one- and two-family dwellings and properly marked, panic-bar-equipped exits in rooming and boarding houses. Tenants who observe blocked pathways, missing exit markings, non-functioning panic bars, or absent exterior stairs where required may report these conditions to the local code enforcement or building department. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how a violation of § 238-14 might be raised in housing proceedings or used to support a complaint.
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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