Glen Cove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 168 § 168-14
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 dwellings, 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 § 168-12C(3) , 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 § 168-12C(3) , 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, Mechanical Ventilation Requirements, in § 168-39G . (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, Mechanical Ventilation Requirements, in § 168-39G .
Glen Cove Code of Ordinances ch. 168 § 168-14 establishes minimum physical standards for nonhabitable spaces in dwellings, covering ceiling heights, bathroom and toilet room design, privacy, accessibility, moisture resistance, lighting, and ventilation. The provision sets specific requirements for how these spaces must be constructed and arranged depending on whether the building is 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 with tailored lighting and ventilation requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings and one- or two-family rental properties in Glen Cove should ensure that all nonhabitable spaces conform to the construction and design standards set out in § 168-14. Compliant properties generally feature bathroom floors with waterproofing extending at least six inches up the wall, toilet rooms accessible from sleeping areas without passing through another sleeping room, and ventilation systems meeting the cubic-feet-per-minute thresholds specified in the provision. Shared or employee toilet facilities, garage areas, and equipment rooms each carry distinct lighting and ventilation obligations that property managers typically address during routine inspections and maintenance cycles.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Glen Cove rental housing are entitled to bathrooms and toilet rooms that meet the privacy, accessibility, moisture-resistance, and ventilation standards described in § 168-14. If a bathroom lacks proper waterproofing, adequate ventilation, or private access from sleeping areas as the provision requires, that condition may constitute a code violation. Tenants who believe their unit falls short of these standards can document the conditions, raise the issue with their landlord in writing, or contact the appropriate Glen Cove municipal code enforcement office — tenant-rights organizations can also help identify 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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