Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-47

Fireplaces

In Force
Verified 10/12/2026 · Next check 11/11/2026
SyracuseHabitability & Repair

Operative Text

Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-47
(a) Fireplaces and similar construction used, or intended to be used, for burning fuel in open fires shall be connected to approved chimneys and shall be installed so that nearby or adjacent combustible material and structural members shall not be heated to unsafe temperatures.
(b) Hearths and linings or other parts of fireplaces exposed directly to flame shall be of materials that will not melt, disintegrate, spall or shatter at high temperatures.
(c) Wood mantels and trim on fireplaces shall be placed and attached so that they cannot be heated to unsafe temperatures or ignited by sparks or embers from the fire.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 5 § 27-47 establishes construction and material standards for fireplaces and similar open-burning fixtures in residential and other buildings. The rule requires that fireplaces connect to approved chimneys, that all flame-exposed components be made of heat-resistant materials that won't degrade under high temperatures, and that decorative wood elements like mantels and trim be positioned so they cannot reach unsafe temperatures or catch sparks or embers. The provision is aimed at preventing fire hazards and structural damage that could arise from improperly built or maintained fireplace installations.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 1, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Property owners and managers overseeing units with fireplaces governed by Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 5 § 27-47 generally ensure that each fireplace is connected to a code-approved chimney and that all flame-exposed components—such as hearths and linings—are constructed from materials rated to withstand high heat without melting, spalling, or disintegrating. Compliant operators also verify that wood mantels and trim are installed at safe distances and secured in ways that prevent them from being ignited by sparks or embers. Routine inspections and documentation of fireplace conditions are practices commonly associated with maintaining compliance under this provision.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Tenants living in units with fireplaces covered by Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 5 § 27-47 have an interest in knowing that the fireplace, chimney connection, and surrounding materials meet the safety standards this provision describes. If a fireplace appears to have cracked or deteriorating hearth materials, improperly positioned wood trim, or a questionable chimney connection, tenants may document the condition and report concerns to the appropriate Syracuse code enforcement authority. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with local housing codes can help residents understand what options are generally available, including raising a housing code violation as part of a broader habitability concern.

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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Related Rules

§ 244.260
Compliance required
§ 14.567
ADOPTED BY REFERENCE
§ 244.340
Sewer and water connections

Source Information