Glen Cove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 168 § 168-16
Railings and parapet walls
Operative Text
A. Railings or parapet walls shall be provided at open sides of balconies, mezzanines, porches, accessible roofs, exit passageways, areaways, motor vehicle parking decks and ramps and around floor openings. B. Railings or parapet walls shall be at least three feet six inches in height and designed to resist a lateral load, at the top, of at least 50 pounds per linear foot. Fixed openings in railings or parapet walls shall not exceed six inches in one dimension. C. Wheel bumper blocks shall be provided at perimeter and around floor openings of open motor vehicle parking decks and ramps. Wheel bumper blocks shall be continuous, at least 8 inches in height, fastened to the floor and designed to resist a minimum linear load of 300 pounds per foot.
Glen Cove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 168 § 168-16 establishes structural safety requirements for railings and parapet walls at elevated or open areas of residential and other buildings. Any open side of a balcony, porch, mezzanine, accessible roof, or similar area must be guarded by a railing or parapet wall that stands at least three feet six inches tall, can withstand a lateral load of at least 50 pounds per linear foot, and has no fixed openings wider than six inches in any single dimension. Open motor vehicle parking decks and ramps must also have continuous wheel bumper blocks at least 8 inches high, anchored to the floor and rated to resist a minimum load of 300 pounds per foot.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Glen Cove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 168 § 168-16 generally ensure that all balconies, porches, mezzanines, accessible roofs, and similar open-sided areas are equipped with compliant railings or parapet walls meeting the height, load-resistance, and opening-size specifications set out in the provision. Operators of buildings with open motor vehicle parking decks or ramps also maintain continuous, properly fastened wheel bumper blocks that meet the dimensional and load requirements stated in § 168-16(C). Routine inspections of these safety features help confirm that hardware has not degraded, shifted, or been altered in ways that would bring the property out of compliance.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in buildings covered by Glen Cove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 168 § 168-16 have an interest in knowing that balconies, porches, rooftop areas, and similar spaces are required to have properly constructed guardrails or parapet walls. If a railing appears to be missing, too short, structurally unsound, or has openings that seem wider than six inches, that may indicate a potential code deficiency worth reporting to the appropriate Glen Cove building or code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations and housing advocacy groups can help residents understand how to document concerns and what local complaint or inspection processes may be available.
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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