Great Neck, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 321 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 321-42
Fire warning systems
Operative Text
A. Fire warning systems required. Every dwelling erected or substantially altered to be occupied for residential purposes shall be protected by at least one automatic fire warning system equipped with automatic smoke detection devices primarily intended for the protection of life by indicating abnormal conditions as hereinafter provided. Placement of the aforesaid system shall be immediately adjacent to all sleeping quarters in the buildings. B. Specifications. (1) The aforesaid system shall be capable of sensing visible or invisible particles of combustion and providing a suitable audible alarm thereof and shall conform to the requirements of the most recent editions of the National Fire Code Standard No. 101, relative to life safety, and of the National Fire Code Standard No. 74, relative to household fire warning equipment, adopted by the National Fire Protection Association. (2) Smoke detector. The minimal permissible smoke detector shall be of single-station type, approved by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. (UL), and/or Factory Mutual, and shall comply with the specifications described in § 321-42 of the Code and shall be powered by ordinary current or a battery having a usable life of at least 12 months' duration. C. Installation and testing. Automatic smoke detection devices which comprise such a system shall conform to and be installed and tested periodically by the most recent provisions of the Life Safety Code, National Fire Protection Association Standard No. 101, and Household Fire Warning Equipment, National Fire Protection Association Standard No. 74, and shall comply with the provisions set forth in this section. D. Applicability. This section shall apply to all residential buildings and structures substantially altered, all residential buildings and structures conveyed by deed or sales agreement and all residential buildings and structures or parts thereof leased to new tenants after the effective date hereof. The term "substantially altered" shall mean alterations requiring a building permit as provided for in Chapter 237 , Construction Codes, Uniform, Article I , Administration and Enforcement, of this Code. E. Notification and compliance. Notification of the appropriate provisions of this section shall be given to all applicants for building permits or certificates of occupancy or completion prior to the issuance of such permits or certificates. Upon the issuance of a building permit for alterations or upon request for a certificate of occupancy or completion, owners of all multiple dwellings shall be notified to comply with this section of the Code. Compliance shall be within 90 days after notification. F. Large-capacity structures. A Class "A" fire system and approved combination fire alarm pull box and sprinkler system, as defined in National Fire Code Standard Nos. 13 or 72A, B, C, D and E (whichever is applicable) of the National Fire Protection Association, shall be installed in all new construction and/or alterations in the Village of Great Neck having a sleeping capacity of 30 or more persons above the first floor, specifically tenement houses, apartment houses, lodging houses, hotels, clubhouses, public or private houses, sanitariums, surgical institutions, Asylums, hospitals or homes for the aged. G. Effect on other regulations. The provisions of this section shall apply without regard to regulations of lenders or funding agencies and shall be in addition to any control exercised by such agencies concerning construction and fire protection requirements related to such construction. H. Installation requirements. (1) All multiple-family dwellings shall have smoke detectors in the following locations: (a) At the top of any stairwell if such stairwell is open to common hallways or corridors. (b) At least one adjacent to the entrance to each sleeping area. (c) Garbage storage area, if not sprinkled. (d) Tenants' storage area (one for each area if not sprinkled). (2) All single-family and two-family dwellings shall have smoke detectors. (a) In all one-family dwellings and two-family dwellings where construction is commenced after the effective date of this section, there shall be installed and maintained outside each entrance to a sleeping area at least one detection device, approved by the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. (UL), and/or Factory Mutual. (b) Bedrooms or other rooms used for sleeping which are separated by other use areas, such as kitchens, living or dining rooms but not bathrooms, shall be considered separate sleeping areas. (3) Number and placement. The number and placement of detectors shall be under the direct control and enforcement of the Housing and Building Departments of the Village of Great Neck. Said control and enforcement shall not be arbitrary, but shall be in compliance with acceptable standards, as recommended by good fire protection procedures. I. Working order. All smoke detection devices required hereunder must, at all times, be in good working order. J. Compliance with State Building Construction Code. If any of the provisions of this section shall be in conflict with the provisions of the State Building Construction Code, the provisions of the State Building Construction Code shall govern.
Great Neck, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 321 § 321-42 requires that residential dwellings — whether newly built, substantially altered, sold, or leased to new tenants — be equipped with functioning automatic smoke detection systems placed near all sleeping areas. The systems must meet National Fire Protection Association standards, and detectors must be UL- or Factory Mutual-approved. Larger structures with sleeping capacity of 30 or more persons above the first floor face additional requirements, including a Class 'A' fire system and an approved combination fire alarm pull box and sprinkler system.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 321-42, compliant residential property owners and managers ensure that smoke detectors are installed in all required locations — including near sleeping areas, at the tops of open stairwells, and in storage areas — before a new tenancy begins or a certificate of occupancy is issued. Owners of multiple dwellings are notified upon issuance of a building permit or request for a certificate of occupancy and are expected to achieve full compliance within 90 days of that notification. The Housing and Building Departments of the Village of Great Neck oversee the number and placement of detectors, so operators generally coordinate with those departments to confirm that installations meet current NFPA standards.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 321-42 establishes that residential tenants in Great Neck are entitled to a dwelling equipped with properly placed, functioning smoke detectors that meet recognized fire safety standards at the time a new lease begins. If a tenant believes detectors are missing, improperly located, or not in working order, general enforcement paths include raising the concern with the Village of Great Neck's Housing and Building Departments, which hold direct authority over detector compliance. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with New York housing codes can also help residents understand what remedies may be available under this provision.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation