Elmira, N.Y., Code ch. 8, art. V § 8-355
Public space
Operative Text
13-41.1. Height. Public space shall have a minimum height of seven feet, six inches, measured from floor to ceiling. 13-41.2. Light and ventilation. (a) Public lobbies and lounges shall be provided with electric light conforming to the requirements of subsection 13-45.5 of section 8-359 . (b) Public reception, ball, meeting, lecture and recreation rooms, and similar public spaces, shall be provided with electric light appropriate for the intended use. (c) Public spaces shall be provided with either natural ventilation, conforming to the requirements for habitable space, or with mechanical ventilation conforming to the requirements of table 13-100.7(e) in section 8-428 .
Elmira Code ch. 8, art. V § 8-355 establishes baseline physical standards for public spaces in residential buildings. These spaces must have ceilings at least seven feet, six inches above the floor. Lighting requirements vary by the type of public space—lobbies and lounges follow one standard, while rooms used for meetings, recreation, or similar gatherings must have lighting suited to their intended purpose. Ventilation must be provided either naturally, meeting the same thresholds required for habitable rooms, or mechanically, in accordance with the specifications in the referenced table.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating buildings subject to Elmira Code ch. 8, art. V § 8-355 generally ensure that all public spaces maintain the required seven-foot, six-inch ceiling clearance and are not modified in ways that reduce that height. Compliant operators install and maintain electric lighting appropriate to each type of public space—distinguishing between lobbies and more specialized rooms like meeting or recreation areas. They also verify that ventilation systems in public spaces meet either the natural ventilation standard for habitable space or the mechanical ventilation specifications referenced in section 8-428, and keep documentation of those systems available for inspection.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants who use public spaces in buildings covered by Elmira Code ch. 8, art. V § 8-355 have an interest in knowing that those spaces are required to meet minimum standards for ceiling height, lighting, and ventilation. If a public lobby, lounge, meeting room, or similar space appears to fall short of these requirements—such as having inadequate lighting or poor ventilation—tenants may consider documenting the conditions and reporting concerns to the local code enforcement or housing inspection authority in Elmira. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what options are generally available, including how code violations may be raised 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 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation