Rockville Centre, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 225 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 225-2
Requirements for maintenance and renewal of license
Operative Text
No licenses shall be renewed hereunder, and any renewed licenses shall be subject to revocation, unless the applicant or holder of such license fully complies with the following requirements: A. The applicant shall be the individual owner of such premises and shall be of good moral character. B. The maximum number of lodgers, roomers or boarders shall be four. C. There shall be no more than one person occupying a room as a lodger, roomer or boarder, and such room shall have a minimum of 100 square feet of floor space. More than one person may occupy a single room if related by blood or marriage and provided the room shall be of such size to provide a minimum of 75 square feet of floor area for each person. D. At the time of the issuance of such license and at all times when the licensed premises are used as a lodging house, rooming house or boardinghouse, the owner thereof shall maintain his residence in and shall actually reside in the licensed premises. E. Lodging houses, rooming houses and boardinghouses legally operating and duly licensed prior to June 1, 2013, shall constitute nonconforming uses pursuant to the zoning regulations of the Village, and the owners thereof shall be entitled to renewal of lawfully existing licenses for the same pursuant to this chapter and upon compliance with all of the provisions of this chapter. F. All lodging houses, rooming houses and boardinghouses shall be heated by a central heating plant or electric panel heating. G. No cooking or storage of foodstuffs shall be permitted in any room other than a kitchen. H. In all parts of such building artificial lighting shall be provided by means of electric current; and each electric circuit shall be provided with a circuit breaker or fuse which shall meet the requirements of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters. Each new application shall be accompanied by a New York Board of Fire Underwriters' certificate. This certificate shall not be more than one year old. Thereafter on renewal applications a current New York Board of Fire Underwriters' certificate shall be required at least once each five years. Any fees involved in obtaining this current New York Board of Fire Underwriters' certificate shall be borne by the applicant. I. No sinks shall be installed or used in any sleeping room, but basins shall be permitted for personal washing and shaving. Such basins, however, shall not be used for washing of clothes and dishes or any unsanitary purposes. J. Bathroom facilities shall be maintained for the owner-occupant separate and apart from bathroom facilities for the lodgers, roomers and boarders. K. All sleeping rooms shall be numbered with raised figures not less than three inches in height placed on the outside of the door to each room, and no two rooms shall bear the same number. L. Each and every floor on which rooms are occupied by roomers shall be equipped with an approved fire extinguisher in good working condition readily accessible for use at all times. M. A water meter must be installed in the premises and properly connected with the water service line. Said meter must be obtained from the Water Department of the Village and a record of such installation must be exhibited by the applicant before a license shall be issued hereunder. N. No room shall be occupied by roomers in the third floor or attic of any dwelling unless the building complies fully with the New York State Multiple Residence Law . O. Off-street parking must be provided on or off premises for all occupants who own automobiles. P. All licensed lodging houses, rooming houses and boardinghouses shall be subject to inspections at all reasonable hours by properly authorized representatives of the Village. Failure to comply with this provision shall constitute a ground for immediate revocation of the license.
Section 225-2 of Rockville Centre's Code of Ordinances sets out the conditions under which a lodging house, rooming house, or boardinghouse license may be issued, maintained, and renewed in the Village. The rule caps occupancy at four lodgers, roomers, or boarders; requires the owner to live on the premises at all times; and imposes detailed physical standards covering room size, heating, electrical systems, fire safety equipment, bathroom separation, and parking. Licenses that were lawfully in place before June 1, 2013 are treated as nonconforming uses and remain eligible for renewal so long as all current chapter requirements are met.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to § 225-2 generally keep their own residence at the licensed property at all times and ensure that no more than four lodgers, roomers, or boarders occupy the premises, with each unrelated occupant having at least 100 square feet of individual room space. Compliant operators maintain a valid New York Board of Fire Underwriters certificate (renewed at least every five years on renewal applications), keep approved fire extinguishers on every occupied floor, provide separate bathroom facilities for owner and lodgers, and make the property available for Village inspections at all reasonable hours. Failure to permit inspections under § 225-2(P) is itself a ground for immediate license revocation, so maintaining open access for authorized Village representatives is a core operational obligation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 225-2, lodgers, roomers, and boarders in Rockville Centre are entitled to live in a property that meets specific habitability and safety standards, including minimum room sizes, central or electric panel heating, proper electrical systems with circuit breakers or fuses, and fire extinguishers on each occupied floor. The provision also requires the owner to reside on the premises and prohibits cooking or food storage outside a kitchen, which are conditions tied directly to the license the operator must hold. Tenants who believe a licensed property is not meeting the requirements of § 225-2 may consider contacting the Village of Rockville Centre directly, as the Village has inspection authority and the power to revoke licenses for noncompliance; tenant-rights organizations can help identify the appropriate local contacts and 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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