Great Neck, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 321 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 321-11
Nonhabitable space
Operative Text
A. Height. Nonhabitable space, except crawl spaces and attics, in multiple dwellings shall have a minimum height of seven feet measured from floor to ceiling. B. Toilet rooms and bathrooms. (1) Toilet rooms and bathrooms in one- and two-family dwellings shall have provisions for privacy. (2) Toilet rooms and bathrooms for dwelling units in multiple dwellings shall be located within the dwelling units and shall be accessible from any sleeping room without passing through any other sleeping room and shall have provisions for adequate privacy. (3) Toilet rooms for employees in multiple dwellings 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. (4) In one- and two-family dwellings, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with floors of moisture resistant material. (5) 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, so that floors can be flushed or washed without leaking. (6) In all dwellings, shower enclosures and bathtubs shall be maintained in a watertight condition. C. Light and ventilation. (1) Kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with artificial light appropriate for the use of such rooms. (2) Laundry rooms, furnace rooms and similar nonhabitable space shall be provided with artificial light appropriate for the intended use of such rooms. (3) Stairs shall be provided with artificial light to allow safe ascent or descent. (4) Kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms shall be provided with ventilation in accordance with either of the following: (a) Natural ventilation, as required for habitable space, except that such openable areas shall be not less than 1 1/2 square feet for bathrooms or toilet rooms and not less than three square feet for kitchenettes. (b) Mechanical ventilation exhausting not less than 25 cubic feet per minute for bathrooms and toilet rooms and not less than 100 cubic feet per minute for kitchenettes. (5) Spaces in multiple dwellings which contain central heat-producing, air-conditioning and other equipment or which are designed or used for the parking or storage of motor vehicles shall be ventilated directly 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 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.
Great Neck, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 321 § 321-11 establishes minimum physical standards for nonhabitable spaces in dwellings. It sets a seven-foot minimum ceiling height for nonhabitable areas (excluding crawl spaces and attics) in multiple dwellings, and requires that bathrooms and toilet rooms meet specific standards for privacy, waterproofing, moisture resistance, and accessibility within dwelling units. The provision also mandates adequate artificial lighting and ventilation—whether natural or mechanical—for kitchenettes, bathrooms, toilet rooms, stairways, and utility spaces, with specific airflow minimums and waterproofing requirements depending on the type of dwelling.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to ch. 321 § 321-11 generally ensure that nonhabitable spaces meet the seven-foot ceiling height requirement and that all bathroom and toilet room floors are fully waterproofed with waterproofing extending at least six inches up the walls. Compliant operators also verify that bathrooms and toilet rooms within dwelling units are accessible from sleeping rooms without passing through other sleeping rooms, and that employee toilet facilities are properly separated by sex when five or more employees are present. Maintaining mechanical ventilation systems that exhaust at least 25 cubic feet per minute for bathrooms and 100 cubic feet per minute for kitchenettes, and ensuring all shower enclosures and bathtubs remain watertight, are also part of routine compliance under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under ch. 321 § 321-11, tenants in Great Neck dwellings have a right to bathrooms and toilet rooms that meet privacy, waterproofing, lighting, and ventilation standards, and in multiple dwellings, these facilities must be accessible from sleeping rooms without passing through another sleeping room. If a bathroom floor is not waterproofed, ventilation is inadequate, or a shower or bathtub is not maintained in a watertight condition, these conditions may constitute violations of this provision. Tenants who believe their dwelling does not meet these standards may consider documenting the conditions, raising the issue with their landlord in writing, or contacting the appropriate local housing or code enforcement office in Great Neck for guidance on filing a complaint.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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