Auburn, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 182 § 182-14
Nonhabitable space
Operative Text
A. Height. In multiple dwellings, nonhabitable space, except crawl spaces and attics, shall have a minimum height of seven feet, measured from floor to ceiling. B. Toilet rooms and bathrooms. (1) Toilet rooms and bathrooms shall be designed and arranged to provide privacy. (2) Toilet rooms and bathrooms shall not be used as a passageway to a hall, or other spaces, or to the exterior. (3) A toilet room or bathroom in a dwelling unit shall be accessible from any sleeping room without passing through another sleeping room. (4) Toilet rooms and bathrooms serving hotel units, lodging units, or dormitory units, unless located within such respective units, or directly connected thereto, shall be provided on the same story with such units and be accessible only from a common hall or passageway. (5) Toilet rooms for employees in multiple dwellings shall be separate for each sex where there are five or more employees, shall be readily accessible to such employees, and shall not open directly into any public kitchen or other public space used for the cooking or preparation of food. (6) The entrance to every toilet room with facilities to serve more than one person at a time, and opening into a public space or passageway, shall be provided with a vestibule or fixed partition to screen the interior from view. The door of every such toilet room with multiple facilities shall have an effective self-closing device. Doors of toilet rooms with facilities to serve one person at a time shall be provided with an interior door lock. (7) In one- and two-family dwellings, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with floors of moisture-resistant material. (8) In multiple dwelling, floors of bathrooms, toilet rooms, and similar spaces shall be waterproof; such waterproofing shall extend six inches or more above floors, except at doors. Walls shall be constructed or covered with moisture-resistant material. C. Light and ventilation. (1) Kitchenettes, bathrooms, and toilet rooms shall be provided with electric light of sufficient intensity and so distributed as to permit the maintenance of sanitary conditions and the safe use of the space and the appliances, equipment, and fixtures. (2) In one- and two-family dwellings, kitchenettes, bathrooms, and toilet rooms shall be provided with ventilation in accordance with either of the following: (a) Natural ventilation by openings which comply with the requirements of Subsection C(3) of § 182-12 , except that minimum openings shall be three square feet for kitchenettes and 1 1/2 square feet for bathrooms and toilet rooms; or (b) Mechanical ventilation exhausting not less than 150 cfm for kitchenettes and not less than 25 cfm for bathrooms and toilet rooms. (3) In multiple dwellings, kitchenettes, bathrooms, and toilet rooms shall be provided with ventilation in accordance with either of the following: (a) Natural ventilation by openings which comply with the requirements of Subsection C(3) of § 182-12 , except that minimum openings shall be three square feet for kitchenettes and bathrooms and toilet rooms designed for private use, and one square foot per water closet or urinal, or three square feet, whichever is greater, for bathrooms and toilet rooms designed for public use; or (b) Mechanical ventilation exhausting not less than 150 cfm for kitchenettes, 25 cfm for bathrooms and toilet rooms designed for private use, and 40 cfm per water closet or urinal for bathrooms and toilet rooms designed for public use. (4) Stairs shall be provided with electric light to allow safe ascent and descent. (5) Laundry rooms, furnace rooms, and similar nonhabitable spaces shall be provided with electric light appropriate for the intended use of such rooms. (6) Spaces in multiple dwellings which contain central heat-producing equipment, incinerator, or air-conditioning equipment shall be ventilated directly to the outer air. (7) Shower rooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms, and laundry rooms shall be provided with either natural ventilation, conforming to the requirements for habitable space, or with mechanical ventilation conforming to the requirements of Table II. (8) Garages within or accessory to multiple dwellings shall be provided with electric light appropriate for the intended use of such spaces. (9) Garage areas above grade, in excess of 1,000 square feet, and all garage areas below grade shall be provided with mechanical ventilation, in conformity with Table II.
Auburn, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 182 § 182-14 establishes minimum physical standards for nonhabitable spaces in dwellings, covering ceiling heights, bathroom privacy and accessibility, moisture-resistant materials, and lighting and ventilation requirements. The rule sets specific airflow rates, minimum opening sizes, and waterproofing standards that vary depending on whether a space is in a one- or two-family dwelling or a multiple dwelling. It also addresses special-use spaces such as garages, laundry rooms, and equipment rooms, each of which must meet defined lighting and ventilation conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Auburn should ensure that all nonhabitable spaces comply with the detailed requirements of ch. 182 § 182-14, including maintaining a minimum seven-foot ceiling height in applicable spaces and installing moisture-resistant or waterproof flooring and wall materials in bathrooms and toilet rooms. Compliant operators verify that every bathroom and toilet room meets the privacy, accessibility, and passageway restrictions outlined in the provision, and that ventilation systems—whether natural or mechanical—meet the specified cubic-feet-per-minute or minimum-opening thresholds for each space type. Lighting adequate for safe use must be confirmed in kitchenettes, stairways, laundry rooms, garages, and similar areas as enumerated in § 182-14.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Auburn dwellings have an interest in knowing that ch. 182 § 182-14 sets enforceable standards for bathroom privacy, accessibility from sleeping rooms, waterproofing, and adequate light and ventilation in nonhabitable spaces. If conditions such as inadequate ventilation, missing moisture barriers, or improper bathroom access appear to fall short of these standards, tenants may consider documenting the conditions and raising the issue with Auburn's local code enforcement or housing inspection authority. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how a violation of § 182-14 might be raised as a defense or complaint in relevant proceedings.
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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