Hempstead Town, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 88 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 88-4
Minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking or eating therein which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Every dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen sink in good working condition and properly connected to a water and sewer system approved by the Manager of the Building Department. B. Every dwelling unit shall be equipped with a complete bathroom fixture group consisting of a flush water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower in good working condition and properly connected to a water and sewage system approved by the Manager of the Building Department. The flush water closet, lavatory basin and bathtub or shower need not be installed in the same room, but said room or rooms shall afford privacy to a person within said room or rooms. C. Every dwelling unit shall be supplied with adequate rubbish storage facilities and with adequate garbage disposal facilities or garbage storage containers whose type and location are approved by the Manager of the Building Department. It shall be the responsibility of the owner to supply such facilities or containers for all dwelling units in a dwelling containing three or more dwelling units. In all other cases it shall be the responsibility of the occupants to furnish such facilities or containers. D. The water-heating facilities necessary to provide the hot water required under Subsections A and B shall be properly installed and connected to the hot-water lines required under those subsections, shall be maintained in safe and good working condition, and shall be capable of heating water to such a temperature as to permit an adequate flow of water to be drawn at every required kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub or shower at a temperature of not less than 120° F. Such supplied water-heating facilities shall be capable of meeting the requirements of this subsection when the dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming house or rooming unit heating facilities required under the provisions of § 88-5E are not in operation. E. Every dwelling unit shall have safe, unobstructed means of egress leading to safe and open space at ground level as required by the laws of this state and this Town of Hempstead, New York.
Hempstead Town Code ch. 88 § 88-4 establishes baseline physical standards that every dwelling unit must meet before it can be occupied or rented. These requirements cover a working kitchen sink, a complete bathroom fixture group (toilet, basin, and tub or shower), adequate rubbish and garbage facilities, water-heating equipment capable of delivering water at no less than 120°F to all required fixtures, and a safe, unobstructed means of egress to open ground-level space. No dwelling unit may be occupied—whether by an owner or a tenant—unless all of these conditions are satisfied.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Hempstead Town Code ch. 88 § 88-4, compliant operators ensure that every rental unit contains a functioning kitchen sink and a complete bathroom fixture group, each properly connected to systems approved by the Manager of the Building Department. Owners of buildings with three or more dwelling units bear direct responsibility for supplying approved rubbish and garbage storage facilities for all units in the building. Water-heating equipment must be maintained so that hot water of at least 120°F is available at every required fixture, and all means of egress must remain safe and unobstructed at all times.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Hempstead Town Code ch. 88 § 88-4 gives occupants the right to a dwelling unit that meets specific habitability standards, including a working kitchen sink, a complete bathroom fixture group, adequate garbage facilities, hot water at no less than 120°F, and a safe exit route. If any of these conditions are absent or deficient, tenants may consider documenting the conditions in writing and notifying the landlord, and may also explore filing a complaint with the Hempstead Town Building Department, which oversees compliance with these standards. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Nassau County housing law can help explain the range of options available under § 88-4.
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 In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation