Cal. Civ. Code § 280
Water-closets and bathrooms
Operative Text
§ 280. Water-closets and bathrooms. The requirements for water-closet compartments, bath and shower rooms shall be the same as provided in section two hundred fifteen for fireproof dwellings, except that each required water-closet compartment, bath or shower room in an apartment shall be ventilated by a window opening to the outer air as provided in section one hundred seventy-one. Water-closet compartments, bath and shower rooms which are supplementary to those required under the provisions of sections one hundred seventy-one and two hundred fifteen may be mechanically or gravity ventilated as provided in section one hundred seventy-one.
New York Multiple Residence Law § 280 sets out the physical and ventilation standards that must be met for water-closet compartments, bathrooms, and shower rooms in multiple dwellings. Each required bathroom or water-closet compartment in an apartment must have a window that opens to the outside air, following the ventilation rules cross-referenced in § 171. Supplementary bathrooms or water-closets—those beyond the minimum required number—have more flexibility and may instead use mechanical or gravity ventilation systems as permitted under § 171.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 280, operators of multiple dwellings generally ensure that every required water-closet compartment, bath, or shower room in each apartment includes a window that opens directly to the outer air, consistent with the standards in §§ 171 and 215. For any additional, non-required bathrooms or water-closet compartments, compliant operators typically verify that mechanical or gravity ventilation meets the specifications outlined in § 171. Keeping documentation of ventilation configurations and window placements can support compliance during inspections or code-enforcement reviews.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 280 establishes that tenants in multiple dwellings are entitled to bathrooms and water-closet compartments that meet specific ventilation standards, including a window opening to the outside air in each required facility. If a required bathroom lacks proper ventilation or a qualifying window, this may constitute a housing code violation that a tenant can raise with local housing or building code enforcement authorities. Tenants who believe their dwelling does not meet the standards under § 280 may also consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about 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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