Pelham, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 54 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 54-144
Space and occupancy requirements
Operative Text
A. Every room occupied for sleeping purposes by one (1) person shall contain at least eighty (80) square feet of floor space, and every room occupied for sleeping purposes by more than one (1) person shall contain at least sixty (60) square feet of floor space for each occupant thereof. B. Beds shall be placed at least three (3) feet apart. C. Every rooming unit shall contain at least four (4) square feet of closet space per occupant, with an unobstructed height of at least five (5) feet. If it is lacking in whole or in part, an amount of space equal in square footage to the deficiency shall be subtracted from the area of habitable room space used in determining permissible occupancy. D. Access to or egress from each rooming unit shall be provided without passing through any other rooming unit or dwelling unit.
Section 54-144 of Pelham's Code of Ordinances establishes minimum space and layout standards for rooms used for sleeping in rooming units. A single occupant's sleeping room must have at least 80 square feet of floor space, while rooms shared by multiple people require at least 60 square feet per person, with beds spaced no less than 3 feet apart. Each rooming unit must also provide at least 4 square feet of closet space per occupant at a usable height, and any shortfall in closet space reduces the calculated habitable area for occupancy purposes. Additionally, every rooming unit must be accessible without requiring passage through another rooming or dwelling unit.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rooming houses in Pelham should ensure that all sleeping rooms meet the per-occupant floor space minimums set out in § 54-144 before assigning occupancy. Compliant operators typically measure closet space carefully, since any deficit directly reduces the habitable square footage counted toward permissible occupancy limits. Maintaining independent access to each rooming unit—so that no tenant must pass through another unit to enter or exit—is also a standard practice under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 54-144 of Pelham's Code of Ordinances, tenants in rooming units have a right to sleeping space that meets minimum size standards, adequate closet space, and a private means of entry and exit that does not pass through another occupant's unit. If a room appears to fall short of these requirements—whether in floor area, bed spacing, closet space, or access—that may constitute a code violation that can be raised with local housing or code enforcement authorities. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Pelham or Westchester County housing codes can help residents understand what documentation or complaint processes may be available.
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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