Cal. Civ. Code § 147
Bulkheads and scuttles
Operative Text
§ 147. Bulkheads and scuttles. 1. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision two of this section, every required stair, fire-stair and fire-tower in dwellings three stories or more in height shall have a bulkhead constructed as provided for fireproof dwellings in section one hundred four, except that the bulkhead of any required stair which is not required to be fireproof may be built of wood covered on the outside with twenty-six gauge metal and on the inside with wire or metal lath covered with two coats of cement plaster or other fire-retarding material approved by the department. 2. Such a dwelling which is two stories or less in height, or is three stories in height and erected pursuant to plans filed with the department on or after May first, nineteen hundred fifty-nine and occupied by not more than one family on each story, shall be provided at each required stair, fire-stair or fire-tower either with such a bulkhead or with a scuttle at least two feet by three feet in size, located in the ceiling of the public hall on the top story and so arranged as to provide direct and uninterrupted access to the roof. Every such scuttle shall be arranged to be readily opened, shall be covered on the outside with metal and shall be provided with stairs or a stationary iron ladder or ladders leading thereto and easily accessible to all the tenants of the dwelling. 3. No bulkhead or other superstructure on the roof shall be used for human occupancy. 4. When a dwelling has a pitched or sloping roof with a pitch or slope of more than fifteen degrees, no bulkhead or scuttle or stair or ladder leading thereto shall be required.
N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 147 governs how residential buildings must provide roof access from required stairs, fire-stairs, and fire-towers. Buildings three stories or more generally need a bulkhead built to fireproof standards, while shorter or certain single-family-per-story buildings may instead use a scuttle opening of at least two feet by three feet with a ladder or stairs. Bulkheads and similar rooftop structures cannot be used as living space, and steeply pitched roofs above fifteen degrees are exempt from these requirements entirely.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 147 generally ensure that bulkheads meet the construction standards specified for their building's height and occupancy type, and that any scuttle alternative is metal-covered, readily openable, and served by accessible stairs or a stationary iron ladder. Compliant operators also confirm that no bulkhead or rooftop superstructure is converted to or used for human occupancy. Reviewing building plans against the height and filing-date thresholds in § 147 helps determine which roof-access method applies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 147, tenants have an interest in knowing that their building's roof-access points—whether bulkheads or scuttles—meet the construction and accessibility standards the law requires. If a scuttle is the designated access point, it should be readily openable and served by stairs or a stationary iron ladder accessible to all residents. Tenants who believe their building's roof-access features fall short of § 147's requirements may raise the issue with a local housing or building department, or consult 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 September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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