Troy, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-23
Light and ventilation
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any dwelling, multifamily dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit, for the purpose of living therein, which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Natural light in habitable rooms. Every habitable room shall have at least one window of approved size facing directly to the outdoors or to a court. The minimum total window area, measured between stops, for every habitable room shall be 10% of the floor area of such room, except in kitchens where artificial light may be provided in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. Whenever walls or other portions of a structure face a window of any room, and such obstructions are located less than three feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors nor to a court and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area for the room. B. Light in nonhabitable work space. Every laundry, furnace room, and all similar nonhabitable work spaces located in a dwelling or multifamily dwelling shall have one supplied electric light fixture available at all times. C. Light in common halls and stairways. Every common hall and inside stairway in every dwelling, other than one-family dwelling, shall be adequately lighted at all times with an illumination of at least five lumens per square foot in the darkest portion of stairs and passageways. D. Electric outlets required. Where there is electric service available to the building or structure, every habitable room of a dwelling or multifamily dwelling shall contain at least two separate and remote electric wall-type convenience outlets. In kitchens, three separate and remote electric wall-type convenience outlets, one of which must be an appliance circuit. Every public hall, water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room or furnace room shall contain at least one wall-type electric convenience outlet. Sleeping rooms must contain at least one wall-type electric convenience outlet. E. Adequate ventilation. Every habitable room shall have at least one window which can be easily opened or such other device that will adequately ventilate the room. The total openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least 45% of the minimum window area size required in § 176-23A , except where mechanical ventilation is provided in accordance with provisions of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. F. Ventilation and light in bathroom and water closet. Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the ventilation requirements for habitable rooms as required by Subsections A and E , except that no window shall be required in bathrooms or water closet compartments equipped with an approved ventilation system. Every habitable room, kitchen, public hall, water closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, or furnace room shall contain at least one electric light fixture.
Troy, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-23 establishes minimum standards for natural light, artificial lighting, ventilation, and electrical outlets in dwellings and multifamily dwellings. Habitable rooms must receive natural light through windows covering at least 10% of the floor area, and must have openable windows or mechanical ventilation providing at least 45% of that minimum window area. Common areas, non-habitable work spaces, bathrooms, and kitchens carry their own specific lighting and electrical outlet requirements that must be continuously maintained.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Troy, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-23, compliant property operators ensure that every habitable room has qualifying windows meeting the 10% floor-area threshold, that common halls and stairways are illuminated to at least five lumens per square foot at all times, and that required electric outlets are installed in each room category as specified. Operators also verify that no structural obstruction within three feet of a window—extending above ceiling level—is counted toward the required window area. Routine inspections of lighting fixtures in laundry rooms, furnace rooms, bathrooms, and public halls help confirm ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Troy, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 176 § 176-23 gives occupants the right to live in spaces that meet defined minimums for natural light, ventilation, and electrical access—including properly sized windows in habitable rooms and adequate illumination in shared hallways and stairways. If a dwelling appears to fall short of these standards, tenants may document the conditions and report them to the City of Troy's code enforcement office, which has authority to inspect and require corrections. Tenant-rights organizations in the Troy area can help occupants understand how this provision applies to their housing situation and what complaint or defense options may be available.
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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