Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-159
Ventilation in habitable rooms
Operative Text
(a) Every habitable room shall be ventilated either by openable areas equal to 45% of the required window area or by equivalent mechanical ventilation. (b) Openable areas for ventilation shall include windows, skylights, louvers, monitors or similar openings. Windows, skylights, louvers and other apertures used for ventilation shall be easily openable. Ventilating systems shall be provided with proper openings for incoming or outgoing air to obtain the required circulation.
Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 12 § 12-159 establishes that every habitable room must have adequate ventilation, achieved either through openable areas—such as windows, skylights, louvers, or similar openings—that equal at least 45% of the required window area, or through an equivalent mechanical ventilation system. Any openings used for ventilation must be easily operable, and mechanical systems must include proper inlets or outlets to ensure adequate air circulation. The rule applies to all habitable rooms and sets a clear minimum standard for how that ventilation must be delivered.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 12 § 12-159, compliant property operators generally ensure that every habitable room either has openable windows, skylights, louvers, or comparable apertures meeting the 45% threshold, or is served by a mechanical ventilation system of equivalent capacity. Operators typically verify that all openable ventilation elements function easily and are not painted shut, blocked, or otherwise impaired. Where mechanical systems are used, compliant operators confirm that the system includes properly sized and positioned air inlets or outlets to achieve the required circulation throughout the room.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-159 of the Poughkeepsie Code of Ordinances gives occupants of habitable rooms the right to adequate ventilation, whether through functional openable areas or a working mechanical system. If windows, skylights, or other required openings are stuck, blocked, or missing, or if a mechanical system fails to provide proper circulation, that condition may constitute a code violation. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of this standard can generally document the condition, contact the local code enforcement or housing inspection 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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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