Cal. Civ. Code § 210
Application of article seven and other provisions to tenements
Operative Text
§ 210. Application of article seven and other provisions to tenements.
Except as provided in section two hundred forty-eight, the provisions of
this article shall apply only to tenements, as defined in subdivision
eleven of section four, occupied as such before April eighteenth,
nineteen hundred twenty-nine. Unless in this article otherwise
specifically prescribed, none of its provisions shall be deemed to
require any structural alteration in any tenement erected after April
eleventh, nineteen hundred one and lawfully occupied as such on April
eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine. Nothing in this article shall
apply to converted dwellings. In addition to the provisions of this
article, the following enumerated articles and sections shall, to the
extent required therein, apply to tenements:
Article 1. Introductory provisions; definitions
2. Miscellaneous application provisions
7-a. Temporary provisions
8. Requirements and remedies
9. Registry of names and service of papers
10. Prostitution
11. Laws repealed; saving clause; legislative intent; effect
§ 28. Two or more buildings on same lot
29. Painting of courts and shafts
31. Size of rooms--subdivision six
33. Cooking spaces
34. Rooms in basements and cellars
35. Entrance doors and lights
37. Artificial hall lighting
51. Shafts, elevators and dumbwaiters
52. Stairs
53. Fire-escapes
55. Wainscoting
56. Frame buildings and extensions
57. Bells; mail receptacles
58. Incombustible materials
59. Bakeries and fat boiling
60. Motor vehicle storage
61. Business uses
62. Parapets, guard railings and wires--subdivision two
75. Water supply
76. Water-closet and bath accommodations
77. Plumbing and drainage
78. Repairs
79. Heating
80. Cleanliness
81. Receptacles for waste matter
83. Janitor or housekeeper
N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 210 defines the scope of the article's application to tenements, limiting its core requirements to buildings that were classified and occupied as tenements before April 18, 1929. Buildings erected after April 11, 1901 and lawfully occupied as tenements on that same 1929 date are generally shielded from structural alteration mandates unless the article specifically says otherwise. Converted dwellings fall entirely outside this article's reach. Beyond the article's own provisions, § 210 extends a specific list of other articles and sections—covering topics ranging from fire escapes and water supply to heating and cleanliness—to tenements as well.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of older tenement buildings should be aware that N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 210 draws a clear line around which properties are subject to this article's requirements based on the building's classification and occupancy status relative to key dates in 1901 and 1929. Compliant operators of post-1901 tenements lawfully occupied by 1929 generally do not undertake structural alterations solely on the basis of this article unless a specific provision expressly demands it. Regardless of that structural-alteration carve-out, § 210 also incorporates a broad set of enumerated provisions—including those governing heating, plumbing, fire escapes, and cleanliness—that continue to apply and with which diligent property managers maintain ongoing compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in older New York tenement buildings should know that N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 210 determines which legal standards govern their building, based on when it was built and how it was occupied around 1929. Even where structural alteration requirements may not apply, § 210 still brings in a wide range of protections covering conditions such as water supply, heating, repairs, and sanitation. Tenants who believe these incorporated standards are not being met can explore options such as raising a violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, filing a complaint with the relevant local housing or building authority, or reaching out to a tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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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