Glens Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 128 § 128-6
Lighting and ventilation
Operative Text
A. Every habitable room shall have a window or skylight opening directly to the outside. The total area of such window or skylight shall not be less than 8% of the floor area of such room. All windows and skylights shall be enclosed with glass and shall be provided with suitable hardware and sash cords and made to open to the extent of 4% of the floor area. Every dwelling, habitable room and hall shall be equipped with a safe, artificial lighting service, and all electrical wiring, outlets and fixtures thereof shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of local municipal ordinances and statutes of this state. B. Every bathroom and water-closet compartment shall have at least one window facing to the outdoors and having a minimum openable area of 4% of the floor area of such room, except where there is supplied some other device approved by the enforcement officer as affording adequate ventilation. C. Every dwelling shall be supplied with electricity. With such dwelling: (1) Every habitable room shall contain at least two separate floor or wall-type electric convenience outlets, or one such convenience outlet and one supplied ceiling-type electric light fixture. (2) Every water-closet compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room and public hall shall contain at least one supplied ceiling- or wall-type electric light fixture. (3) Every outlet and fixture shall be properly installed and maintained in good and safe working condition. D. Artificial hall lighting. (1) In every multiple residence, the owner shall provide a light or lights, each at least 60 watts incandescent or 20 watts cool white fluorescent, or equivalent illumination, for every vestibule and entrance hall and in every public hall, stair, fire stair and fire tower on every floor. Said light or lights shall be located as prescribed by the Building Inspector but in every stair, fire stair or fire tower shall be so located that every part thereof shall be lighted. (2) Every such light shall be turned on by the owner at sunset every day and shall not be turned off by the owner until the following sunrise. Every such light shall be kept burning daily from sunset until sunrise, but if it becomes extinguished and remains so without the knowledge or consent of the owner, he shall not be liable. The burden shall be upon the owner to show that the light became and remained extinguished without his knowledge or consent. (3) When the natural light in any public hall in a multiple dwelling is not sufficient to permit a person to read the names on a mailbox or other receptacle for mail, the owner shall install a lighting fixture directly over such mailbox or receptacle and maintain it in serviceable condition, so that a light may be turned on at any time for the convenience of tenants or the mail carrier.
Section 128-6 of the Glens Falls Code of Ordinances establishes minimum standards for natural and artificial lighting and ventilation in dwellings. Every habitable room must have a window or skylight covering at least 8% of the floor area, openable to at least 4% of that area, and bathrooms must have an outdoor-facing window or an approved ventilation alternative. Dwellings must be supplied with electricity, with specific outlet and fixture requirements for each room type, and in multiple residences, common-area lighting must remain on from sunset to sunrise every day.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties in Glens Falls should ensure that every habitable room under § 128-6 has a properly glazed, operable window or skylight meeting the 8% and 4% floor-area thresholds, and that bathrooms have compliant outdoor ventilation or an enforcement-officer-approved alternative. Electrical systems—including the required number of outlets and fixtures in each room type—must be installed and kept in safe working order in accordance with local and state codes. Owners of multiple residences are generally expected to keep common-area and stairwell lights burning from sunset to sunrise, maintain mailbox lighting when natural light is insufficient, and be prepared to demonstrate that any lighting failure occurred without their knowledge or consent.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 128-6 of the Glens Falls Code of Ordinances, tenants have a right to habitable rooms with adequate natural light and ventilation, functioning electrical outlets and fixtures, and—in multiple residences—common-area lighting that remains on throughout the night. If a unit appears to fall short of these standards, tenants may consider documenting the conditions and contacting the Glens Falls Building Inspector's office, which is the enforcement authority referenced in this provision. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what options may be available, such as filing a complaint or raising a housing code violation 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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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