Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-18
Nonhabitable space
Operative Text
A. Height. Nonhabitable space, except crawl spaces and attics, in buildings shall have a minimum height of seven feet measured from floor to ceiling. B. Toilet rooms and bathrooms. (1) Toilet rooms and bathrooms shall have provisions for privacy. (2) Toilet rooms and bathrooms for dwelling units in multiple dwellings, containing transient occupancies, shall be located within the dwelling units and shall be accessible from any sleeping room without passing through another sleeping room. (3) Unless located within dwelling units or directly connected with sleeping rooms, toilet rooms and bathrooms in multiple dwellings shall be provided in each story containing habitable space and shall be accessible thereto. (4) Toilet rooms for employees shall be in separate rooms 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. (5) In all buildings, floors of bathrooms, toilet rooms and similar spaces shall be moisture-resistant; such moisture-resistance shall extend four inches or more above floors except at doors, so that floors can be flushed or washed without leaking. Walls shall be constructed or covered with a moisture-resistant material. (6) All shower enclosures shall have a waterproof floor and water-resistant walls. C. Light and ventilation. (1) Kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with electric light appropriate for the use of such rooms. (2) Laundry rooms, furnace rooms and similar nonhabitable space shall be provided with electric light appropriate for the intended use of such rooms. (3) Stairs shall be provided with electric light to allow safe ascent or descent. (4) Kitchenettes and bathrooms shall be provided with ventilation in accordance with either of the following: (a) Natural ventilation as required for habitable space, except that such operable areas shall be not fewer than 1 1/2 square feet for bathrooms or toilet rooms and not less than three square feet for kitchenettes; or (b) Mechanical ventilation exhausting not less than one cubic foot per minute (CFM) for each square foot of floor area for bathrooms and toilet rooms and not less than two CFM for each square foot of floor area of kitchenettes. (5) Spaces in multiple dwellings which contain central heat-producing, air-conditioning and other equipment shall be ventilated to the outer air, and air from these spaces shall not be recirculated to other parts of the building. (6) Ventilation shall be provided in unheated attics, spaces below flat roofs and in crawl spaces. Location and net areas of ventilation openings shall be such as to minimize deterioration of structural members from condensation or other causes, in conformity with generally accepted standards. (7) Shower rooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms and laundry rooms shall be provided with either natural or mechanical ventilation. (8) Garages within or accessory to multiple dwellings shall be provided with electric light.
Section 475-18 of Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 475 establishes minimum physical standards for nonhabitable spaces in buildings, covering ceiling heights, bathroom privacy and accessibility, moisture resistance, lighting, and ventilation. Nonhabitable spaces (excluding crawl spaces and attics) must be at least seven feet high, and bathrooms and toilet rooms must meet specific privacy, location, and moisture-resistant construction requirements. Lighting and ventilation standards apply to kitchenettes, bathrooms, laundry rooms, stairways, garages, and other spaces, with specific minimums for natural or mechanical airflow.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings and other buildings in Fulton, N.Y., generally ensure compliance with § 475-18 by verifying that nonhabitable spaces meet the seven-foot minimum ceiling height, that bathroom and toilet room floors and walls are constructed with moisture-resistant materials extending at least four inches above the floor, and that shower enclosures have waterproof floors and water-resistant walls. Compliant operators also confirm that bathrooms, kitchenettes, stairways, laundry rooms, and garages are equipped with appropriate electric lighting, and that ventilation—whether natural or mechanical—meets the square-footage-based minimums specified in § 475-18(C). In multiple dwellings with transient occupancies, toilet rooms and bathrooms are typically located within each dwelling unit and accessible from sleeping rooms without passing through another sleeping room.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Fulton, N.Y., multiple dwellings have an interest in knowing that § 475-18 sets enforceable standards for bathroom privacy, moisture-resistant construction, lighting, and ventilation in their units and common areas. If a bathroom lacks privacy provisions, has deteriorating moisture barriers, or a kitchenette or stairway lacks adequate lighting or ventilation, these conditions may constitute code violations under Chapter 475. Tenants who believe their building falls short of these standards can document the conditions, contact the local code enforcement office, or reach out to a tenant-rights organization to understand 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 November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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