Port Jefferson, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 161 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 161-11
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. Public spaces shall be provided with artificial light. 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: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) Fluorescent lighting shall be based on not less than 1/10 watt per square foot of floor area, except that each fixture shall have a lamp or lamps of a total of not less than 15 watts. (4) Where under these formulas the calculated wattage does not correspond to that of a standard lamp, the next larger size shall be used. C. Ventilation. Public spaces shall be provided with either natural ventilation, conforming to the requirements for habitable space, or with mechanical ventilation.
Section 161-11 of Port Jefferson's Code of Ordinances establishes minimum physical standards for public spaces in buildings, covering ceiling height, lighting, and ventilation. Public spaces must have ceilings at least seven feet six inches high, must be equipped with artificial lighting that meets specific wattage and fixture-spacing requirements, and must provide either natural or mechanical ventilation. Stairways, passageways, and public stairs specifically require electric lighting available at all times to ensure safe passage.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 161-11, compliant building operators ensure that all public spaces meet the seven-foot-six-inch minimum ceiling height and are equipped with artificial lighting that satisfies the fixture-spacing and wattage formulas set out in the provision. For stairways and passageways, operators maintain continuously available electric lighting, using the next standard lamp size up whenever calculated wattage does not match a standard lamp. Ventilation in public spaces is addressed either through natural ventilation meeting habitable-space standards 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.
Section 161-11 establishes standards that building occupants and users of public spaces—including stairways and passageways—are entitled to benefit from, such as adequate ceiling height, proper lighting, and ventilation. If a public space in your building appears to fall short of these standards, such as stairwells that are poorly lit or unventilated corridors, that may constitute a code violation that can be reported to the relevant local code enforcement authority in Port Jefferson. Tenant-rights organizations can help explain what documentation to gather and what local complaint processes may be available under this provision.
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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