Garden City, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 127 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 127-19
Access and vertical travel between stories
Operative Text
A. Stairs, both interior and exterior, shall be of sufficient width in conformity with generally accepted standards so as to serve the occupants. B. Railings shall be provided on open portions of stairs, balconies, landings and stairwells.
Section 127-19 of Garden City's Code of Ordinances establishes baseline safety standards for vertical circulation in residential buildings. It requires that stairs—whether inside or outside a structure—be wide enough to adequately serve the people who use them, measured against generally accepted standards. It also mandates that railings be installed wherever stairs, balconies, landings, or stairwells have open or exposed sides.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 127-19, compliant property operators ensure that all stairways on their properties meet width standards recognized as generally acceptable for the number of occupants served. They also install and maintain railings along any open sections of stairs, balconies, landings, and stairwells. Routine inspections of these features help confirm that hardware remains secure and that no changes to the building have left previously compliant areas out of conformance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 127-19 gives occupants a basis to expect that stairs are adequately wide and that open stair edges, balconies, landings, and stairwells are equipped with railings. If these conditions are not met, tenants may document the deficiency and report it to Garden City's code enforcement or building department. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what options are generally available when a property does not meet the access and safety standards set out in ch. 127.
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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