Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-26
Non-habitable space
Operative Text
(a) Height. Non-habitable space, except crawl spaces and attics, in buildings shall have a minimum height of seven (7) feet measured from floor to ceiling.
(b) Toilet rooms and bathrooms.
(1) Toilet rooms and bathrooms shall have provisions for privacy.
(2) Toilet rooms and bathrooms for dwelling units in multiple dwellings, shall be located within the dwelling units and shall be accessible from any sleeping room without passing through any other sleeping room.
(3) Unless located within dwelling units or directly connected with sleeping rooms, toilet rooms and bathrooms in multiple dwelling shall be provided in each story containing habitable space, and shall be accessible thereto.
(4) Toilet rooms for employees shall be in separate rooms for each sex where there are five (5) or more employees, shall be readily accessible to such employees and shall not open directly into any public kitchen or other public space used for the cooking or preparation of food.
(5) In all buildings, floors of bathrooms, toilet rooms and similar spaces shall be waterproof; such waterproofing shall extend four (4) inches or more above floors except at doors, so that floors can be flushed or washed without leaking. Walls shall be constructed or covered with a moisture-resistant material.
(6) All shower enclosures shall have waterproof floor and water-resistant walls.
(c) Light and ventilation.
(1) Kitchenettes, bathrooms, and toilet rooms shall be provided with electric light appropriate for the use of such rooms.
(2) Laundry rooms, furnace rooms, and similar nonhabitable space shall be provided with electric light appropriate for the intended use of such rooms.
(3) Stairs shall be provided with electric light to allow safe ascent or descent.
(4) Kitchenettes, bathrooms, and toilet rooms shall be provided with ventilation in accordance with either of the following:
a. Natural ventilation as required for habitable space, except that such operable areas shall be not less than one and one-half (1½) square feet for bathrooms or toilet rooms and not less than three (3) square feet for kitchenettes; or
b. Mechanical ventilation exhausting not less than one (1) cubic foot per minute ("CFM") for each square foot of floor area for bathrooms and toilet rooms and not less than four (4) CFM for each square foot of floor area of kitchenettes.
(5) Spaces in multiple dwellings which contain central heat producing air conditioning and other equipment, shall be ventilated to the outer air, and air from these spaces shall not be recirculated to other parts of the building.
(6) Ventilation shall be provided in unheated attics, spaces below flat roofs, and in crawl spaces. Location and net areas of ventilation openings shall be such as to minimize deterioration of structural members from condensation or other causes, in conformity with generally accepted standards.Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 3 § 27-26 establishes minimum physical standards for non-habitable spaces in buildings, including height requirements, bathroom privacy and accessibility rules, waterproofing mandates, and lighting and ventilation specifications. Bathrooms and toilet rooms must be accessible without passing through another sleeping room, and floors and walls in wet areas must be waterproofed or moisture-resistant. Ventilation in kitchenettes, bathrooms, and similar spaces must meet either natural or mechanical airflow thresholds set out in the provision.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential and multi-unit buildings in Syracuse should ensure that all non-habitable spaces comply with the standards set out in Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 3 § 27-26. Compliant properties generally feature bathroom floors and walls with proper waterproofing extending at least four inches above the floor, adequate electric lighting in kitchenettes and utility rooms, and ventilation systems meeting the CFM or natural-opening minimums specified in the ordinance. Buildings with five or more employees are also expected to maintain sex-separated toilet facilities that do not open directly into food preparation areas.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Syracuse are protected by the standards in Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 3 § 27-26, which requires that bathrooms in dwelling units be accessible from sleeping rooms without passing through another sleeping room, and that wet-area floors and walls be properly waterproofed. If a rental unit appears to lack required lighting, ventilation, or moisture-resistant surfaces, tenants may consider documenting the conditions and contacting the City of Syracuse's code enforcement office to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations in the area can also help residents understand what remedies or 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 October 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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