Port Jefferson, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 161 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 161-23
Plumbing
Operative Text
A. General requirements. (1) Plumbing systems shall be maintained in sanitary and serviceable condition. (2) Plumbing systems shall be maintained so as not to weaken structural members nor cause damage or deterioration to any part of the building through fixture usage. B. Water supply. (1) Potable water from an approved source shall be available at all times in residential buildings. The domestic water supply system of the building shall be connected to such approved source and shall not be subject to contamination. When supplied from a public source, the potable water-supply system shall not be connected to private or unsafe water supplies. (2) Water supply systems shall be installed and maintained so as to provide at all times a supply of water to plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function satisfactorily and without undue noise under all normal conditions of use. (3) Water-supply systems shall be installed and maintained so that water used for purposes of cooling or heating shall not be reintroduced into the domestic water-supply system nor be distributed through such equipment to plumbing fixtures. (4) Hot water-supply systems shall be provided with safety devices arranged to relieve hazardous pressures and excessive temperatures. C. Bathrooms. (1) Number and location In one-family dwellings, there shall be at least one bathroom located within the dwelling. In two-or-more family dwellings, each dwelling unit shall have at least one bathroom located within each unit (2) Arrangement. Bathrooms in dwelling units shall be accessible from any sleeping room without passing through any other sleeping room. Bathrooms within dwelling units and those in public spaces available for the use of dwelling units shall have provisions made for privacy. (3) Floors. Shower stalls shall be provided with waterproof floors and with a wall wainscot made of at least a water-resistant material and extending to a minimum height of five feet six inches above the floor level. The floors of existing bathrooms shall be provided, as a minimum, with a surface treatment which is reasonably impervious to moisture. The floors of bathrooms in private dwellings shall be covered, as a minimum, with a moisture-resistant material. The floors of new bathrooms in multiple dwellings shall be waterproof; such waterproofing shall extend six inches or more on the walls above the floors except at doors. Floors shall be kept in a dry, clean and sanitary condition by the occupant. (4) Employee facilities. Where there are five or more employees in a multiple dwelling, separate bathroom facilities shall be provided for them and for each sex. Said facilities shall be readily accessible to the employees and shall not open directly into any public kitchen or other public space used for the cooking or preparation of food. (5) Light and ventilation. Every bathroom in a building shall be provided with adequate light and ventilation, either natural or artificial, in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
Section 161-23 of Port Jefferson's Code of Ordinances, Chapter 161, establishes baseline standards for plumbing systems and bathroom facilities in residential buildings. It requires that plumbing be kept sanitary and functional, that potable water from an approved source be continuously available without risk of contamination, and that hot-water systems include safety devices for pressure and temperature relief. The provision also sets minimum requirements for bathroom count and location by dwelling type, floor waterproofing, privacy, employee facilities in larger multiple dwellings, and adequate light and ventilation in every bathroom.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 161-23, property owners and managers are generally expected to keep all plumbing systems in sanitary, serviceable condition and to ensure that potable water is continuously supplied from an approved, uncontaminated source. Compliant operators typically verify that each dwelling unit in a two-or-more family building contains at least one bathroom accessible from sleeping areas without passing through another sleeping room, and that shower stall floors and walls meet the waterproofing and wainscot-height standards specified in the section. Operators of multiple dwellings with five or more employees also maintain separate, sex-specific bathroom facilities for those employees that do not open directly into food-preparation areas, and ensure all bathrooms have adequate light and ventilation consistent with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 161-23 gives residential tenants in Port Jefferson a right to continuously available potable water, properly functioning plumbing, and bathrooms that meet minimum standards for waterproofing, privacy, and ventilation. If a plumbing system is unsanitary, water pressure is inadequate, or a bathroom lacks required features such as a waterproof shower floor or accessible location, these conditions may constitute violations of this provision. Tenants who believe their housing falls short of the standards in § 161-23 can document the conditions, raise the violation with their local code enforcement office, or reach out to a tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
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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