Mount Carmel — Ch. 12 Housing § 12-70
Lighting of stairs and corridors
Operative Text
Every public hall and stairway in every multiple dwelling containing five or more dwelling units shall be adequately lighted at all times. Every public hall and stairway in structures devoted solely to dwelling occupancy and containing not more than four dwelling units may be supplied with conveniently located light switches, controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when needed, instead of full-time lighting.
Mount Carmel Ch. 12 Housing § 12-70 establishes two tiers of lighting requirements for residential buildings. In buildings with five or more dwelling units, all public hallways and stairways must be continuously and adequately lit at all times. In smaller residential buildings with four or fewer units, full-time lighting is not required, provided that conveniently placed light switches controlling an adequate lighting system are available for use when needed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 12-70, operators of multiple dwellings with five or more units are generally expected to maintain continuous, adequate lighting in all public halls and stairways—meaning lighting that functions around the clock without reliance on manual switches. For properties with four or fewer dwelling units devoted solely to residential use, a compliant operator ensures that conveniently located switches controlling an adequate lighting system are installed and functional, so residents can illuminate those spaces on demand. Routine inspections of bulbs, fixtures, and switch functionality help demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 12-70 gives residents of larger buildings (five or more units) the right to expect public hallways and stairways to be adequately lit at all times, without needing to operate any switch. Tenants in smaller buildings of four or fewer units are entitled to conveniently located switches that control an adequate lighting system. If lighting in common areas does not meet these standards, residents may consider documenting the condition, notifying the landlord in writing, and reaching out to Mount Carmel's local housing or code enforcement office to explore available complaint processes.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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