Cal. Civ. Code § 151
Spaces under stairs
Operative Text
§ 151. Spaces under stairs. 1. It shall be unlawful to have a closet of any kind under any public stair. 2. The space beneath every stair from the foot of the stair to a point where the soffit is four feet or more above the floor shall be entirely enclosed with unpierced fire-retarded partitions. Such enclosure beneath a flight of public stairs leading from the entrance story to the story next above shall be fireproof. 3. Any unenclosed portion of the space beneath a flight of public stairs leading from the entrance story to the story next above shall be left entirely open and kept clear and free from encumbrance.
New York Multiple Dwelling Law § 151 governs how the space beneath public stairways in multiple dwellings must be treated. Closets of any kind are prohibited under public stairs entirely. The lower portion of the under-stair space—up to where the ceiling rises to four feet—must be enclosed with fire-retarded, unpierced partitions, and the enclosure beneath stairs running from the entrance floor to the next floor up must meet full fireproof construction standards. Any portion of that same under-stair space that is not enclosed must remain completely open and unobstructed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 151 generally ensure that no closets or storage enclosures of any kind are installed beneath public stairways. Compliant buildings feature fire-retarded, unpierced partition walls enclosing the lower under-stair area where the soffit is less than four feet above the floor, with fully fireproof construction used specifically for the enclosure beneath stairs connecting the entrance story to the floor above. Operators also keep any unenclosed under-stair space on that entrance-to-next-story flight completely clear of objects, furniture, or other obstructions at all times.
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 § 151, tenants in multiple dwellings have an interest in knowing that under-stair spaces in public areas are required to meet specific fire-safety construction and clearance standards. If a closet exists beneath a public stair, or if the under-stair area appears to lack proper fire-retarded enclosures or is being used for storage, these conditions may represent code violations. Tenants who observe such conditions can document them and consider reporting the issue to the New York City Department of Buildings or the relevant local housing authority, or reach out to 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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