Cal. Civ. Code § 215
Alcoves
Operative Text
§ 215. Alcoves. No part of any room shall be enclosed or subdivided, wholly or in part, by a curtain, portiere, fixed or movable partition or other contrivance or device unless each such enclosure or subdivision shall contain a separate window conforming to the provisions of section thirty for rooms in multiple dwellings erected after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, and have a clear floor area of at least seventy square feet.
Under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 215, any portion of a room in a multiple dwelling that is enclosed or subdivided—whether by a curtain, partition, or similar device—must meet two conditions: the enclosed space must include its own window that satisfies the ventilation and light standards set out in section 30, and it must have a clear floor area of at least seventy square feet. This rule applies to multiple dwellings built after April 18, 1929. The provision is designed to ensure that subdivided living spaces maintain minimum standards of light, air, and usable floor space.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 215 generally ensure that no room in a post-1929 multiple dwelling is subdivided by any partition, curtain, or similar device unless the resulting space has its own compliant window and at least seventy square feet of clear floor area. Compliant operators typically review any proposed interior modifications—including temporary or decorative dividers that could functionally enclose a sleeping or living area—against these standards before allowing or undertaking such changes. Maintaining documentation of floor plans and window compliance for each unit can support ongoing adherence to this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 215 establishes that any enclosed or subdivided portion of a room in your building must have its own qualifying window and a minimum of seventy square feet of floor space. If a subdivision in your unit appears to lack a proper window or falls short of the floor-area requirement, that condition may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who believe their unit does not meet these standards can report the condition to the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development or the relevant local housing authority, raise the issue as a defense in certain housing proceedings, or seek guidance from a tenant-rights organization.
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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