Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-26
Exits for dwellings more than three stories in height
Operative Text
One- and two-family dwellings exceeding three stories in height shall have exits from every story which shall provide safe continuous passage to a legal open space and which shall comply with one of the following requirements: A. One interior stairway enclosed in a fire separation having a fire resistance rating of at least one hour. All openings in such enclosures shall be provided with a self-closing opening protective as set forth in the following table: Opening Protectives For Interior wall Openings Fire-resistance rating of wall separation in which opening occurs, in hours Fire-resistance rating of opening protective, in hours 2 or more 1 1/2 1 or 3/4 1 B. Two interior stairways with all doors opening upon such stairways equipped with a self-closing device. C. One interior stairway with all doors opening upon such stairway equipped with a self-closing device and one exterior stairway or fire escape providing exit from each dwelling unit on any story. D. One interior stairway equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, with all doors opening upon such stairway equipped with a self-closing device.
Albany Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-26 establishes exit requirements for one- and two-family dwellings that rise above three stories. Every story in such buildings must have exits that provide a safe, continuous path to a legal open space. The rule specifies four acceptable configurations—ranging from a single fire-rated enclosed stairway to combinations of interior stairways, exterior stairways or fire escapes, self-closing doors, and automatic sprinkler systems—at least one of which must be present.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of one- and two-family dwellings taller than three stories in Albany should verify that their buildings meet one of the four exit configurations outlined in ch. 231 § 231-26. Compliant properties typically feature properly enclosed or sprinklered stairways, self-closing devices on all doors opening onto those stairways, and—where required by the chosen configuration—exterior stairways or fire escapes serving each dwelling unit. Routine inspection of fire-resistance ratings, self-closing hardware, and sprinkler systems helps ensure 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.
Tenants living in one- or two-family buildings taller than three stories in Albany are entitled to exits that meet the standards set by ch. 231 § 231-26, including safe, continuous passage to a legal open space from every story. If exits appear to lack required enclosures, self-closing doors, or other features described in this provision, tenants may consider reporting the condition to Albany's local code enforcement or building department. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what documentation to gather and what options may be available when a potential code deficiency is identified.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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